I’m active duty Air Force and maxed out my VA loan with three properties.Birmingham has some cheaper properties, but may not bring the cash flow that STRs in Florida might bring.It all depends on your timeline, numbers, funds, and comfort level.

I'm still up in the air.

So we bought into the idea that it’s a great investment. we went non contingent over asking but just not happy with the way the deal went .. reluctance of our agent to spend time on the property  and when we went for inspection with sellers inspector the seller agent was present and that didn’t give us room to ask questions and really inspect and feel the property to our liking… I am not sure if it’s just a feeling that goes away or will this be a terrible mistake .. earnest money is also a very large sumYea it sounds like they lied and pressured you a lot.

Some people are allergic to rabbit hair so I would need to get the air ducts and entire house deep cleaned if the tenant moves out. 

Just my 2 cents you are breath fresh air preach truth finally 1 other intelligent person beside cute blonde from ny. lol

The threat of an investigation is typically enough pressure that she will make things right so that you go away.Instructions: https://www.ohiorealtors.org/consumers-filing-an-ethics-comp...

I personally like it when there is a IRS lien scares the uninformed away and much less competition .. it also keeps those that MUST get a HML to pay off the cash they invested as quick as possible..

Like @Alan Asriants and @Matthew Paul said location, location, location, an area during the day and night are very different things in Philadelphia.While the cashflow might be great, the greater the risk the greater the reward, but there are still plenty of other areas where you can get 200-400/month without being near the largest open air drug market on the east coast.

I'd look into Air BnB, VRBO, Furnished Finder, PadSplit, and perhaps even booking.com (I know a lot of STR operators use this, not sure of MTR potential but worth checking out). 

They do not earn commissions so there is no pressure to act on any of their advice like you're receiving from the telemarketers at the $2 Billion syndicator.