I'm guessing that "retirement focused" places may have more associations that prohibit transient rentals than, say, a spring break type area ...

i guess the biggest challenge is my stage in life - as i plan for retirement in the next 5 yrs hard to want to go leverage several notes and wait for them to be paid off in 15-30 yr notesAs one advised - its not whether to leverage but when Early in your career leverage is more important then cashflow Late in your career cashflow is more important then leverage 

Someday we'd like to retire in near TN.

I know this first-hand as I just recently retired as a police officer.

However, this will knock $100k off from his $300k note, which he wanted to ride out for the next 5-15 years for retirement cash.  

I'm in my early 40 and am looking to retire is hopefully 8-10 years.

Get a good professional, often these are the types of jobs retired floor guys like to do.

Normally they can't touch retirement accounts, but they can go after everything else. 

@Steven LopezIf you have significant retirement assets, you could look into a combination of the strategies mentioned in previous posts. 

There are so many options it can sometimes be overwhelming so I started by writing out my goals to help narrow my path.Goals:1) Create Retirement Income (10-15 years out)2) Pay properties off in 15 years (probably through rent appreciation)3) Minimize vacancies and repairs4) Work with higher quality tenants/families5) Purchase first rental property in 90 days ($180k-250k)Based on my goals it seems that Buy and Hold rentals is the definitely the way to go.