(wannabe go-go dancer, lol)@Bruce May, I know I do need to really man up and visit a Local REIA.

I would lose my sleep if I had property across the country which I cannot physically visit as often as I liked.

I definitely understand that (not 2016 proves anymore), but when I say STR I am looking to put down $125k for 25% for a property that I can come visit a weekend or two a month, then rent out to break even with some marginal upside to cover maintenance. 

Get you Appfolio (or whatever system your PM uses) and review it, visit a couple of times a year, and vacation in the Caribbean.  

Ask for referrals and maybe even visit a property or two that they currently manage.

What I buy for my projects here in Los Angeles is different than what should be used in a $200k home in TX or a $2M apartment in NY.I would suggest you visit as many open houses of homes in your target market and take notes on what they use for finish materials.

Thought it would be nice to own properties at states you may want to visit as well.

But going to visit a bunch of places today in one of my shortlisted markets and so ready to make on offer on something and get started already.

We will occasionally visit a local brewery, that's about it.

Cash flows.I'm only interested in something that can pay for itself and make enough cash flow to pay for me to visit a couple times a year.