If you're new to real estate, there's a whole lot to learn and having a property out of state would be a lot to take on (unless you made really great local connections and found a good PM company).

It's better to have a separate system.

Like anything in life- some guests are fantastic people and renew my faith in the STR system as well as humanity, some seem like they are from another planet and have insane expectations.

.), fencing and security systems, and numerous other factors. 

They have systems in place to handle problems quickly before they snowball and run up the costs.

The one that I'm sure I have a lot to improve on is managing contractors. 

I'd say that over 60% of the time, the "automated underwriting system" (AUS) only calls for one year of tax returns for self employed persons.

But there's a lot to be suspicious about, but so far, it's just suspicion.

The company (which has networks and systems in place to find the best props and rehab to a high standard quickly etc) does all that legwork on their dime and on their time (ie no vacancy risk to you during rehab).

No way you can structure a business plan, go over a system, and create a list of action items needed to accomplish your goal.