Below are the services and information a realtor must provide in order for you to make an informed decision.ServicesThe realtor works with you to create what we call a property profile, which is a physical description of properties that will match your financial situation and goals.

They will likely require you to provide them with updated documents and proof of ownership, but other than that I remember it being pretty straightforward.

The way Avery Carl (the author) and the podcast guests describe it, managing an STR seems quite straightforward, though I'm aware it requires significant effort to be successful.My plan is to purchase a property for under $400k, make a 10% down payment, and self-manage it as an STR.Living in San Diego, and given the real estate prices in Southern California, finding a profitable STR locally seems challenging.

Unlike a purchase/sale, it is not required that this be reported anywhere and zillow doesn't give already rented properties/prices. 

Guests, just like those at your personal residence, require all sorts of amenities we don't often think of beyond the heating, cooling, water, waste, electricity and internet that hosts are responsible for.

Navigating these from a distance can be more challenging.Market Risk: You might not be as immediately aware of changes in the market dynamics, and reacting to market shifts can be more challenging when you're not physically present.Travel Costs and Time: Visiting your property or dealing with issues may require more time and resources, especially if it's a considerable distance away.In summary, investing out-of-state offers the potential for diversification and higher returns, but it requires careful planning, reliance on local experts, and a willingness to adapt to different market dynamics.

Conventional loans will require a significant down payment so that you can get the cash flow you need.

Example - if a renter were to mail us a check, can I just give them the PO box rather than have them send it to the property address only to be forwarded to the PO box (again, only checking to make sure we stay compliant).I should add that our system requires the home address for our LLC, and in our home state we are our own registered agent   In the foreign files LLC we have a virtual address for registered agent     Just want to use a P.O.

If you wanted to invest through an LLC it would require you to purchase it as an investment property from 15%-25% down payment.

If there's a kitchen fire that requires $150,000 to rebuild and remediate you're suggesting not filing a claim because it's not a total loss?