They are able to use the very advantageous terms and VA loan program to purchase homes that eventually become rentals properties.

Hi Jacklyn, I'm a VT realtor (though I focus on northern VT), and also on the board of the VT short-term rental alliance (VTSTRA).

It shouldn't be a problem to call and while I don't know the specific rules for Hawaii (probably something like a smoke detector in or next to every bedroom and a carbon monoxide detector in the house), rules regarding smoke detectors are not going to be "grandfathered in" (a term that building departments hate btw).

how long to make that back? 

I was wondering if anyone in Georgia has worked with a good agent that has extensive knowledge of the investment market for short term rentals. 

Let me know if you would like me to get you a term sheet. 

That's the longer term plan once the last kid goes to school.

The more specific your term is the easier it will be to figure out if someone's asked it before.

In my head I'd want to buy a property cash or creative terms with a private money partner for the home and maybe a 2nd partner for the furnishing and start-up funding.

Probably not easy for long distance.