While I acknowledge that economic strength is just one facet of a good rental market, it is a major factor and I wanted to share what I've found (the details of my methodology and raw data can be found after the various rankings):Top 10 best economiesProvo-Orem, UTSalt Lake City, UTCharlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SCChicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WIDallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TXKansas City, MO-KSLongview, TXLouisville/Jefferson County, KY-INSan Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CABirmingham-Hoover, ALThere were two main factors to overall economic strength that I looked at – how diverse/broad the economy is and how many economic drivers (i.e. strength) the area has.

@Angelo Van - If you are looking for starting up advice, check out this post.For expenses to factor in your rental calculations, check out this post.

How can I protect myself I were to proceed with this joint venture deal (trusting the partner's integrity, exit strategies, etc.)

I have some very good lender contacts for vacation homes.  3) Success will be contingent on a number of factors. 

Hey @Bob Huggins, you might want to consider moving over to Evolve Vacation as those are all the platforms they are integrated with and have their own reporting platform and owner/manager portal.   

you can get 80% on a 5-7 year term but credit score DSCR and occupancy rate will be determining factors. 

Your safety is the most important factor in all of this.

But be clear that rent must be received by you no later than the due date and that they’ll have to factor that in if they’ll be mailing you a money order. 

I'm not as familiar with Beckley, but in Huntington, Charleston, and Eastern KY the house is just as likely to lose 2% as it is to gain 2% so I don't even factor it in. 

@Asury Johnson does it allow the kind of integration I’m asking about?