It was tough getting an approval too even with a speculated 20% down (which we are aiming for because monthly payments at 10% were ridiculous) My wife had to get her parents aunt and sister to co sign for the approval, as I am from Europe I don't yet have a solid credit line here.

Thank you for the welcome @Maria Alfante !!

I had amazing male tenants who went on to be lifelong friends and I've had amazing female tenants who turned out to be more like sisters (we had some really fun chats comparing notes about our respective dating lives at the time).

Others cover only specific items like the sewer line from the street to the house.As @Maria Flowers so clearly pointed out, it can be used as a tool to not only help with repairs, but eliminate you as the middle man for every little thing as the Tenant can be set up to submit claims and pay the trade call fee if written in the lease to do so.  

I came to join BiggerPockets from my sisters friend who also listens to the podcast and while I was listening to other real estate podcasts, BiggerPockets was frequently mentioned.

I am asking this question for my sister as both her and I are totally unfamiliar with short-term rentals. 

I also like letting them use it for free as they have done so much for us over the years....Brothers and Sisters, on the other hand have to pay (family rate of course)...LOL!

The seller lives out of state, and his sister who was managing this property for him has moved away.

@Yazeed AtiehMy brother and sister-in-law live in Paterson.

😁My sister is a local realtor there and used to live in Anacortes as well, so knows the area and may be able to help.