you seem to be putting the cart before the horse.

@Shane Malloy Baltimore continues to be the dark horse, and there are very interesting submarkets that are very strong in MD. 

Lender needs to verify that there is no 'rent to own' arrangement or anything else that could put some other claim to the property ahead of said mortgage (such as fair housing violation, etc, like if the current landlord ever told the tenant "no one of XYZ race can stay past 9 pm"). 

If you (and I have met very few people that didn't have that) your off to the races.  

I have to be comfortable renting to the people that live in the area (I don't care about race, family type, sexuality, I'm talking about the war zone personalities/mentalities).Anything that meets to above criteria I want to keep as a rental.

My mind was racing last night and I was wondering if this sounds like it would be possible.

Meanwhile, with my PhD and non-tenured academic position, I'm fighting in the rat race for the same salary, barely putting away any savings other than what I had from previous jobs and sale of my Austin home at the right time.

I have a pretty demanding W2 job, pays well, but want to quit the rat race soon, so tough to figure out if I want to keep scaling to grind out some more or just pay down debt and live free in 7 years.

From what I read, the STR race lately has been predominantly towards the best-looking, amenity rich asset that commands higher ADR.

I listen to the podcast on my way to school and back and it's educative and enlightening.I look forward to learning from everyone,I want to leave the rat race and be able to provide for,and spend time with the people I love.Thanks again Dimitril