We've done about 60 in the last 8 months, with only one failure.

I’d sell and start over again in a better location. 99.9% of the failures I see in real estate are due to buying in a bad location.

How do I instill confidence rather than fear of failure in a sense?

I am watching him because he has some great insights and his failures will keep me from making those same mistakes.I'm doing my first STR in North Phoenix (Near Scottsdale) in a $725,000 5 bed 3 bath full house with pool that I bought and I'm using high end design, so my experience will be totally different than his.

I think I had a 50 50 chance of failure so i looked for help and advice. 

The risk of failure from the buyer is real.1.

In fact, they should be reported to the authorities for what I consider criminal behavior and at minimum for bait and switch practices and failure to properly disclose.

Hire the best PM you can find. 3 weeks is a long time, 3 months is a failure.

Here is the citation for those who want to do their own homework:California FTB NOTICE - 2019 - 05SUBJECT: Imposing the Failure to Withhold Penalty Against Qualified IntermediariesWho Actively Participate in Certain Improper Like-Kind Exchange Transactions

The colossal failure of their iBuyer program a few years ago showed the world the dangers that exist when the flaws of algorithm-based estimates are overlooked.