With VRBO, strangely, it keeps recommending significant increases which isn't wrong.

High ceiling looks great but increases your utility bill.

Out of my 32 properties, I’ve seen insurance rates drop by up to 40% on renewals, and property tax increases are finally slowing down compared to the crazy jumps we saw over the last five years.

Pros - guaranteed rent, tenants stay longer on averageCons - more mgmt needed (lease violations), they tend to not take great care of properties (increase maintenance expense or deferred maintenance)

Apparently, because rates increased here so astronomically in the last 2 years, the insurance industry believes their numbers are correct with the risk.If you have the correct coverage @Marc Shin, you should be covered (although you should also have budgeted or baked-in costs for minor issues/damage).

Some say it increases bookings, while others mention concerns about damage and additional cleaning costs.

You can earn strong appreciation but also lose a lot as the entire state becomes increasingly hostile to landlords.

The first couple is a no-brainer.The second group has too many people, increasing wear-and-tear on the home.

During the partnership, you can jointly manage the property, increase its value, negotiate a flexible repayment plan with the seller that allows for larger payments after the property appreciates, ensure a written agreement that clearly specifies repayment terms and timeframes and refinance, and the sellers are able to 1031 at their leisure? 

I recommend you do this annually to adjust for utility increases and other variables.