While it’s not impossible to close in mid December and still meet all requirements of the STR loophole, it will be extremely difficult due to the nature of hitting 150 hours, having it rented for 15 days or greater and having the avg stay be no greater than 7 days and not a decimal more.

It's also going to be difficult to cash flow in most markets if you ARE able to put down 5% but if cash flow isn't your goal, then that's irrelevant.

I would encourage you to look outside of Austin since going there shouldn't be too difficult if you need to do something in person, you can even drive some of the areas yourself and do your own evaluation of it. 

@Elizabeth RossFor properties under 100k you will likely need to use the BRRR method as its difficult to get a 30Y loan on a properties valued under 100k.

What if circumstances require a cashier's check instead of a wire, how difficult (or not) is it to order one?

You should have ran this question as Anderson Business Advisors was suggesting this set-up.The set-up is also difficult to understand that you likely have to engage your attorney everyyear with questions that you have where they would be billing you.I like the slogan regarding keeping it simple.

The bigger companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, etc, use RMC's to handle their relocations and they are very very difficult to pierce.

But it's difficult for me to just hand over money to someone I've never met, when I have so many friends (and have read so many stories here) who have been ripped off by contractors.How can I protect myself?

That doesn't make them bad, per se, it is just a very difficult market right now. 

As for our area, it is very difficult, even the 600K for Alexandria is not for single homes.