Refinancing to perm while vacant is almost never an option. 

I manage my own portfolio and have worked as a PM for a very successful individual but have never considered managing other peoples properties.

.#2  MINDSET:  Just like some people will NEVER become real estate investors regardless of time, money, related profession, - MOST people will never become real estate investors.   

I ran a full analysis and ended up with 2/2 condo on the Gulf ( I now have 3 ).

Never leave tools on a job.

A partner and I began searching, and after coming up empty for 6 months, we were sent this deal by a close friend and ended up closing a month later.

There are other, more ambitious, risky, and difficult, ways you could achieve the same end goal.

I'd love to learn more about your end goals for starting a portfolio.

Hi Lenny,Probably I would wait until you have a steady income source to make it easier to get a mortgage.

With all the measures they have, it's never been an issue to my knowledge and the neighbors would let me know in no uncertain terms, as they had a poorly managed STR in the neighborhood previously.