Communicate well and perform when you say you will and they will reach back out to you for additional deals.

I currently lean toward upstate NY and MI (Detroit metro) as I live in the west but have family in Canada not far from those locations and the idea of being able to visit family with trips that can double as business write-offs is appealing.

It's a bit cheaper and less busy.

You might also meet someone that could be a potential business partner.

Now, they have been my best performing places with the best appreciation as the area has slowly been gentrifying in pockets. 

A STR manager can not maximize the performance of a MTR.

Lesson learned on going into business without exit plans, I guess...For reasons out of scope here, I just filed my 2021 taxes and the IRS hit me with a $30k capital gains bill (not including interest or penalties).

If your rental income doesn’t outpace inflation, you won’t have the additional money to pay inflated prices.This means the decision to sell or hold depends on how the property has performed in the past relative to inflation.

What are some companies you've worked with, pros/cons of their business and amount in fees they charge?

Ok, I'll bite.....give an example of a home that is affordable, sustainable and desired by many.Remember it is critical that you as the business owner (and your partners/investors) make a good profit after paying overhead and operating expenses.