I am looking to invest long distance and so far have been relying heavily on internet research for neighborhood data.

If the property doesn't cash flow (i.e. cover your mortgage payment, insurance, HOA, PM cost, other expenses) then I'd say it probably doesn't make sense to hold long term unless you're expecting that area to appreciate heavily in the future (i.e. future development, etc), especially since you mentioned you're moving back to the Midwest and should be able to find better cash flowing rental properties there.

In markets where they're known for STRs like at the beach, homes are sold furnished but not heavily marketed that way because of what is considered "real estate" legally. 

And this is by operating in a heavily pro tenant environment. we are mostly focused on buy/hold in core locations.

That would be considered a lease option (heavily restricted in Texas).If they ask for written documentation of the $75000 price in 2 years, you will have to tell them that they have to trust your word and remind them that you have $5000 reasons to hold up your end of the deal.

I was also disappointed that they included so many locations that were heavily regulated. 

They want you to become heavily connected in their company.

I just have a great GC that I keep heavily loaded with my buy & hold growth rate and the flipping.

If we were trying to build sites that look pretty and are heavily customized... like wix... what would happen is you'd have people messing up the sites so they look pretty but don't rank high or convert visitors into leads at a high rate.

Oh yea, duh.So would you say this strategy heavily depends on appreciation?