Save...it takes a lot more money than most new investors believe (don't drink the Kool-aid that you can get in cheap) and residing outside the US will be seen as a substantial risk to most lenders which will limit your financing options. 

Many folks don't drink and might be annoyed, in recovery etc.We do put out a nice welcome basket with some drinks and snacks.

This is purely anecdotal, but I've noticed that the top performing properties in my area lead with an exterior shot.

Stock picking is gambling pure and simple. 

Stop hanging out with your deadbeat buddies who spend all day drinking, talking sports, and otherwise wasting away.

I have financed a number of STR properties and they will usually be appraised as a pure real estate as vacant value and a cash flow adjusted commercial value, sometime separated as going concern and real property.  

I continued paying what I had paid before, with the additional money purely going to principal.The recast to a lower amount was purely to reduce my committed monthly payment to a point that I could get my property to cash flow if I had to move out (job loss, etc).

If so, and you're looking at a purely rental property (not to live in at any point) you could consider opening a self-directed IRA to invest in the new property without having to pull money out and pay penalties?

There are still some good markets that will provide cashflow but you'll need to have realistic expectations when investing purely for cashflow. 

“Jorge, this is pure gold—you’re laying out the exact playbook for maximizing every inch of a property’s potential.