I think most people would agree that a single family home is better than a condo for a long term rental.

If you want good cash flow but amazing appreciation potential and rentals you want to hold for the rest of your life, I would definitely consider Columbus!

BP Rookie podcast has a pretty good content on Airbnb, however mostly success stories.

STR seems to have better tax benefits (in the right market) but is it worth it at a distance ???

I would focus on REALLY GOOD Realtor. 

If they pay then no need to take next steps but if they don’t then at least you’ve started the (sometimes long) process and are ready to move on to the next step (eviction).

Purchase price: $530,000 Cash invested: $100,000 My journey into short-term rentals began after years of investing in long-term properties, but it was a podcast that opened my eyes to the incredible potential returns of STRs.

For example, a property in San Diego may lose $500 per month ($6,000 per year) but gain $60,000 per year in value, making it worthwhile to "lose" money each month in exchange for long-term gains.I recommend you start with BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginners Guide (free).

A good, experienced borrower can turn around even an unexpectedly bad deal.

Welcome to BP and good luck with your project!