real estate is anything but no work  yes limited to no physical work but to be able to live off of your investments takes time and frankly more seed capital. but the biggest bang for your buck with 100k is going to be using it as a downpayment and do fix and flip... but you need to be very cautious.depending on your market this could be one or two flips that would make 20 to 30k each and you could do two a year.not sure if 40 to 60k a year income would do it for you.. some it will some it wont.. rentals NO way no how not in todays markets..at least to start.you could do the BRRR pay cash and refi.. but yoiu need a job and great income to refi.. ?

While some people are making it work it’s illegal in much of the valley and limited to 1 every 600’ in the rest and/or a minimum 30 day rental.

Its not used because, and at least from my limit experience, I've never come across two investment that had such similar characteristic that I needed to get that level of precision in my measurement.

Are you planning to flip or buy and hold, from my limited understanding Auckland can be rough for the latter. 

I reckon you've got the right idea in looking for financial independence, but, are you likely to get any lifestyle independence any time soon?

I just want to automate routine AirBnb message traffic so I can limit the amount of time that I'm on my phone during the day while still keep customers happy (VRBO / Homeaway don't seem to need instant responses in my area).  

My knowledge of them is limited so I can't speak to their business model.

I've only begun within the last 5 years, and capital is limited. 

I've learned a ton from her posts here on BP and have called her to pick her brain on market rents in specific areas I'm not as familiar with and have limited MLS rental data in Orlando.

Live cheaply and don't let lifestyle creep set in.