As some have said, the STR "secret" with only being 2 hours from Washington DC, the right asset can generate tremendous returns. 

Will definitely try the escalation path.

Plus, your property value would have escalated if you maintained it, point "a" above.c. 

When I started focusing more on the surrounding counties 45 minutes outside a metropolitan city, my return on investment increased tremendously.

If I was a landlord I would ask for two months deposit plus first months rent upfront to show your commitment, then rent to start 4 months from lease signature.  3% escalations a year and an option to renew for another 10 years assuming all rents were paid on time.  4 months puts the pressure on you to work full time to get the place where you need it to be. 

I will say your traditional long term rentals will be hard to pencil in this market, but a buy and hold play is still a tremendous opportunity with the housing shortage.

Spokane has seen tremendous growth in the past few years and was recently deemed one of the hottest real estate markets in the country.

This website has helped me tremendously and as you can tell, many others.

This community has help me tremendously.

Being responsive and building rapport are tremendously important.