And since my properties are all over the metropolitan area (I don't just buy properties in one local area), having all those submeters would very quickly turn into a big pain in the *** for me.  

These tenants have been a royal pain in my rear end lately, and honestly I would be more than happy to have them leave.The lease they signed (expiring on 8/31/21) didn't include a buyout clause and doesn't appear to have any language surrounding early terminations, so I wanted to pick your brains on what my best course of action is going forward. 

I own properties myself and these types of problems are really a pain in the butt! 

Image we could purchase, take our time in fixing it up and then rent it out for a few years, and then move into it (albeit a pain, and like purchasing a problem.

@James HamlingI saw an interesting idea brought up I think in two books, thinking fast and slow, and the psychology of money. 

There are countless other aspects to short term rentals (designing communications to please the booking platform algorithms, copywriting, the psychology of guest satisfaction, seo, knowing and understanding the platform policies to protect your payouts, etc) but it’s very intensive to truly optimize a property and that’s where a competent management company (with in-house specialists) would come in.

That was painful as I am somewhat of a car enthusiast lol.

I get it and I feel your pain.

I've tried again over the last few years but I keep hitting a psychological barrier.

@Jarrett Mel WilliamsI feel your pain!