@Michael Baum how many Short-term rentals do you manage this way where you are on call all the time?

It’s awesome to see you channeling your sales and business skills into REI.Those strengths will definitely serve you well.Building a solid team—from lenders and agents to property managers and mentors—is key to long-term success.

I learned it was possible to buy investment properties and manage myself from a distance.

Quote from @Wale Lawal: @Paige GardnerYes, this strategy is possible, but it comes with risks that you need to manage carefully.

I manage quite a few properties in those markets.

Don’t have the time to do property management right now however as I have a full time W2 (accredited investor) and a family to raise. 

I have a team that manages our ads getting $15-20 leads nationwide wondering if AI is beating that.

Here's her most recent thought on the matter if it helps: "Lack of inspection during building by project managers [is the problem].

Don't change jobs or income yet.Once you do and you think you can manage the payments based on your new income, maybe once you get the rooms rented.Then if you want to switch there are plenty of opportunities. 

If the negative cash flow is manageable and the appreciation potential is strong, it could be a smart move.On the other hand, investing out of state allows you to enter more affordable markets with strong, steady returns, helping you to build a diverse portfolio over time.