In another, smaller property I have a leather couch, cowhide rug and a pink armchair.

These are two bare minimal skills you need to be successful. 

I think she means just the bare essentials. 

Even during a pandemic, government, construction and healthcare work continues.In fact, mid-priced extended stay hotels were barely affected by the pandemic.That's why I vote for extended stay rentals.

The amount of money you have to spend is barely enough.

However, as a lender/seller you have to be mindful of what the market will bare for the terms you agree to if you expect to dump in the market later.  

Still living there and refinanced at a nice 2.75% rate.Looking back (of course with hindsight being 20/20), I do regret putting so much control into the hands of the platforms (AirBnB and VRBO) and going forward plan to only invest via flipping or multi-family residences... it's the way to go.The roofing company is still running smoothly through COVID, barely skipping a beat. 

I'm also doing it as a total real estate rookie, barely able to tell NOI from ROI.

The citizenship process takes 5 years so bare in mind that I am the only citizen.

The wear and tear is a bit frightening too.If it's the former, prorating rent weekly is a red flag for your future reference, that the tenants either have a hard time budgeting or they barely make enough to cover their expenses weekly.