There are many people that invest from afar. 

People will always have issue with shared amenities in a short term rental house.

If the agreement shows "Joint and Several Liability", they all guarantors can be held accountable for the full extent of the debt, not just their portion.

Or is it just that people want to get rid of the house so bad they take whatever option is available.

People really hate STRs.

Woody's business started at the time he purchased the 1st property or at the time he held it out for rent, because, in any event, the expenses in question here all occurred before the purchase date, i.e., before December 30If the earliest possible date investor was actively carrying on a trade or business was December 30, 2004, then any expenses incurred in that year but incurred “before the day on which the active trade or business” began, all the expenses incurred from January 1 through December 29, 2004--would be, by definition, start-up expenses whose deductibility, and possible amortization, is expressly dealt with by section 195(Start up amortization).

Yes, I've both done a few 1031s and helped more than a few people as the QI for their own 1031 exchanges over the years. 

For some people they are good with 5 others just can't stop buying real estate. 

You both end up with property held in an LLC without losing money on agent commissions, taxes, etc.

You want to work on your finances and savings now and talk with any people who would co-sign and a lender so you can start a runway for the future.