Have you talked to any lenders yet to see what terms they’d offer?

We talk to so many "newbies" that want to fix & replace everything, which is an ERROR! 

Before you get there I would try to acquire a few properties however you like such as creative financing, just to get you some cashflow and to continue to grow your portfolio.

I also have a mortgage on this property paying $683 a month.Now I'm deciding should I continue waiting for a possible tenant or should I just sell the property.

., asking questions, reading through the documents, etc.) and continue educating yourself via books and podcasts so that you can leverage that expertise to do your own deals in the future.

There is another STR owner in this community I've talked to, and he's been doing it for 1-2 years and he said it's still been a real pain to deal with. 

Have you actually talked to a bank?

Certainly talk to your CPA or your 1031 QI, both of which should have had a 10 second explanation at the tip of their tongue.

Based on the continuing research, wholesaling property wouldn't be the right strategy. 

Yes I have known it to work because the owner is not a push over, enforces policy and can make it run good......however, do you have the right personality to do this, AND if you move out can you continue to have the house run smoothly with no one in charge.