Two weeks later I stopped by the unit (was passing by and decided to take a look) and found that someone was using the shower and leaving food and clothes in the house with visible intent to return.

In addition we would like the flexibility for me to be able to supplement my income or leave my employer as we see fit.

I added "Google Street Pic" to my account and it successfully pulls Google images for about 75%, leaving about 80-100 leads without an image.

I paid cash-for-keys to get her out; she was supposed to leave the property in "broom clean" condition at the walk-through.

This is why you need to do a ton of due diligence on them and make sure they have skin and the game and something to lose.

@Guenevere F. you're going to need 20-25% down to get a mortgage.If you target $100k, that won't leave you any funds for closing cost, maintenance or emergency reserves.You could try targeting around $80k, but the $16k-$20k down payment would still not leave you with enough.If you buy under $80k, you're probably buying such a low-end property that it is unlikely to meet your performance expectations.

And then the second item is - if you do take out more money, where does that leave you from a cashflow standpoint.   

I'd consider doing some kind of cash out refi on the property at a number you're both comfortable pulling out, while still leaving $ for reserves to maintain the STR you currently have.

do more research and make sure the property will cash flow when you leave.

If it's tight or you're uncomfortable with the tenant you have in there from a confidence perspective, especially if this is a first deal, maybe meet in the middle and get a lender at 75% or 77% (doesn't HAVE to be at 5% increments) that wont make you season, and leave a bit more money in the deal, but sleep better.Overall, if I cash flow well, have/keep reserves, and am comfortable I fixed everything in the house, I like to max out the LTV on refi.