This would offer you the lowest out of pocket cost.

If you went with the 'delayed financing' then you could recoup even more than 75% of the initial purchase price along with some rehab funds if that is something you are looking to do with the property.If you go cash on both the purchase and the rehab, then you could go with a refinance either on the unseasoned cost.

My yearly cost to run my STR is $30k and I've been bringing in $100k for the last 2 years.

The assets are old, need work constantly, the cost of living is high, and there is no job growth.I wouldn't solely focus on cash flow.

You also have to consider your holding costs - you are paying HOA fees, insurance, and property taxes.

Additionally, I'd appreciate any tips on balancing cost-effectiveness with durability.

Often times the only bill that is tied to a house is a utility bill (not power or cable which are associated with a house but tied to a person and not the property) and the new owner takes responsibility for it at closing when they take possession of the house.

I contacted the power company, and they directed me to the tax assessor's office to inquire about obtaining a separate address for the pool house.

Airdna has years' worth of actual data, so there's a reason it's costs a bit.

All I can imagine is a lot of blight hitting many rental units when the costs to maintain rise beyond the capacity to finance that maintenance.