He told me he was a welder but hated it and was putting money in the bank.I have helped people with budgeting and it is tough.

I looked into QuickBooks Online, but $80 a month seems like a tough pill to swallow for something I am able to manage (although not ideally) in Excel. 

If you quit to early, you will have a tough time getting the loans that you will need to get this done.

Flying out is the tough part and what if you don't find someone really good? 

Recently, my uncle (who owns a few condos near his businesses that he rents to employees) called me up and said he's willing to go 50/50 on an investment property with me.

Those that want to serve makes up a noble portion, but most are there for the JOB, just like most employees.

why choose unlicensed, minimal accountability, minimal experience, little investment over the professional PM. 2020 was a tough year for STRs in my market.  

A direct lender has a 'do not compete' cause with their bank that is also their employer, they can't go doing that, they have to send their business to the place they work for, and if they're at 9% trying to taper to 7%, tough cookies for both the loan officer and the consumer/investor.

Tough situation for you, but I doubt they will bend (at least not without the sort of compensation you quoted).

It is a tough market these days, but you can still find good stuff