This is because they didn’t budget properly and rent wasn’t high enough to cover actual expenses (repairs and maintenance, cap ex, vacancy and loss, tenant damage and turnovers, etc don’t expect to have any money left over after all of these expenses are accounted for if the rent is less than $1,500/month). 

And STRs really help because you don't have the large dings that long term rentals have - i.e tenants damaging the property to where you have huge make ready costs (the str insurance covers that), no collections or evictions issues. 

Even after guests book and pay their message system blocks out e-mail addresses and phone numbers, so I'm left resorting to spelling out my phone number in odd ways to get around it.

It is a very block by block city depending on the neighborhood.  

I invest in Detroit as well, and it's a city full of opportunities if you take the time to understand it.A couple of quick tips: Get familiar with the neighborhoods—Detroit is very block-by-block, and the difference in property conditions or tenant quality can be drastic just a few streets apart.

You can get a block shot of the neighborhood as well which shows you what the other houses are worth.No, you aren't an appraiser.

Another reason to send it by mail is in many cases you will be deducting damages from deposit.  

A minimum temperature of 55 oF must be maintained inside your Rental Unit at all times; damage to the Premises resulting from you not doing so is your sole responsibility.19.

I can pursue a legal action against the tenant or Baselane, but this will cost me additional $2-3K in legal fees besides dealing with a loss of at least $5K of rent and damages caused.

One stumbling block of another full(ish)-service discount broker, Homie, was that it paid market-standard (2.5-3%) buyer agent commissions.