Many state fair housing laws cover properties or situations that are exempt under federal law.

Pro tip--make sure your exhaust fan in the bathroom is vented to the atmosphere--meaning out to the outside.....go out the roof or out the side of the unit or secured to an opening in a soffit vent grille off the house. 

First, most investors and owners of real estate related businesses are in one or more of the following situations1- they’re unable to duplicate their expertise that drives the ROI and they are at their personal max capacity as to time2- they’re obtaining high ROI by use of excessive leverage 3 - they’re obtaining high ROI by taking excessive risk4- they hit correct timing in the correct market, and this is not necessarily repeatable with any probabilityIn order for an investment or business to scale, we need the ROI (on a risk adjusted basis) to be sufficient to cover a PREMIUM risk adjusted return to passive investors; all expenses of managing the assets and the business, and a significant return to the “sponsor” providing compensation to him making the work, risk and time worth while. 

I hope you or someone is at least keeping an eye on your properties for break ins, squatters, roof leaks, temperature control, frozen pipes (if in cold climate), if you have a basement and sump pump goes out leading to water damage etc.I just talked to two investors in California that have let their properties sit vacant (no mortgages so paying property taxes and insurance).

Cover your bases for starts and then get legal advice. 

Property was sitting on market and needed light updates (roof, flooring, paint) but was in a great area that allows STRs giving me multiple options when deciding on rental strategy How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

STR management is 20-25% (I would recommend self managing or getting a VA), since income is higher you could probably get away with 5% for maintenance / cap ex but remember you need to cover utilities and cleaning for these units which drives up costs.

The primary requirement is that the expected rent would cover the mortgage on the home - and that expected rent is typically determined by a combination of the appraiser and some service like airdna (a site which determines fair market rent).

Yes you have insurance, but it may not cover everything.

A roof on the 600K property will cost more than on the 300K property, but you have more roofs to repair on the multiple 300K properties.