Since you said you had thick skin, I'll shoot straight. 

@Gary ParilisEquity Trust is a custodian, and does not offer or support the checkbook IRA LLC model.There are a variety of pricing models in the custodial range of services, from asset based to flat fee-per-transaction and a variety of hybrids. 

& definitely, I plan on moving to conventional loans once I have more skin in the game and more wealth built up but FHA makes the most sense to me to get in the market quicker.

They still need the retirement funds and I shoulder all the work and risk since it is my business and my credit supporting the properties.  

They have more skin in the game then you do.Make sure you get clear title.

A lot of these southern beach & mountain towns have been supporting STR for 75+ years, long before Airbnb was a thing, so they’re very comfortable with it and it’s a built-in part of the community.A lot of Northern places are FREAKING OUT over STRs & STR regulations & they don’t seem to be very supportive of it.

I make the borrower have some skin in the game and I always have an attorney draw up the paperwork. 

Thus any new things would only support my cause. 

Whichever path you choose make sure you vet your resources..I agree with Hai, it's all about incentives being aligned and having skin in the game.

Most of the time the problem is that the property manager that is working the properties doesn’t have any skin in the game.