If you're looking for ways to accelerate, consider these options:Seller Financing – Some sellers may finance a portion of the purchase price, reducing your need for a large down payment.DSCR Loans – These loans focus on property cash flow rather than personal income, often requiring only 15% down.Private Money Lenders – If you can find a PML willing to work with you, you may be able to put less down.Partnerships – If you’re open to splitting profits, you could bring in a partner who funds the down payment.Since you’re okay with the slower path, just keep stacking cash, but these might be worth exploring to move faster!

Under IRS Publication 523 for 2023 dated February 2024, I qualify as "Service, Intelligence and Peace Corp Personnel" and for "qualified extended duty" (page 4& 5 - https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p523.pdf).

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

I am a private lender here in Atlanta.

You really shouldn’t be running your business on a stranger googling answers for you but…the google says:  Depending on the rental agreement, Georgia landlords typically must provide a 60-day notice for lease renewals or terminations, while tenants generally need to give only a 30-day notice for lease termination.Jan 18, 2024If a new lease is not signed, and the landlord continues to accept monthly rent, the terms of the original lease still apply, except the landlord is required to give sixty (60) days' notice before she can terminate the lease or change the terms, and you (the tenant) are required to give thirty (30) days' notice before leaving.So you can’t non-renew until the end of April and you can’t even increase the rent until then.

Lenders want to see two years of stable income before they loan money to you.

Just curious, are you lined up an agent in that market and also connected to a lender?

Here’s how to handle the tax filings for your rental loss:Missouri (MO): File a MO non-resident tax return (MO-1040NR) to report the rental loss.

Looking to invest specifically in luxury beach rentals, so would love to connect with other people in that space (agents, lenders, etc). 

Due to the popularity and scarcity of these properties in Nashville, it would be difficult to find a property meeting the STR requirements given a proposed purchase price of ~$300-350k.Additionally, your situation is a bit unique as it sounds like you may be living away from your primary residence more often than not, and as such, I also recommend you confirm with a lender whether this situation would qualify for this type of (primary residence) loan.