I'm kind of at the stage with the size of my investment portfolio, where I'd be comfortable paying off entire mortgages and just collecting cash.Am trying to understand if others had followed a similar path and what their rationales were for doing so. 

@Michael Greenberg A fellow host in St Augustine does what is probably the most cost-effective way to get repeat guests by simply collecting contact information from guests and with their permission, sends periodic communication and specials.

@Brad Taylor - the BP calculators are a great resource we would recommend you use as part of your due diligence, but they do not calculate the same way ours does.

Do your research and put together a resource guide.

Think through how you will deal with rent collection and maintenance.  

https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/Hitzelberger Erik is an excellent resource in this department for Louisville KY market.  

Here are some more resources... if you have't got enough already :)Episode 108 - Grant Cardone...

And I'd be figuring out what resources you can liquidate, if you have any, to help pay for your additional work.  

I'm going to collect their information and add to the lease.

Its up to her to collect.