But the operator, in my eyes, would only be the people/groups that likely sourced the deal and fill the asset management function.  

As a buy and hold investor mine are: safety (first), security (second), function (third), and aesthetics (looks are last).  

On the demand side, ability to pay rent is a function of a renter’s income, while as home prices are a function of interest rate and income (people buy the most expensive house for which they can afford the mortgage payments).

@Julio Chacon JrWe choose vacation markets, and then pick the areas that we like to personally vacation at ourselves to take advantage of function stacking. 

Usually those two functions (even in those cases) are kept separate. 

We are considering doing a management rotation since by week since we both live relatively close. 

By looking out of the area, an individual will generally end up chasing yield, and with yield being a function of risk, combined with the unknown in a market they dont know, that just amplifies their risk without them realizing they are doing so. 

What sort of things can we do to give ourselves the best chance at hitting the appraisal value we want, outside of the core business function of having signed good leases, having a strong rent roll, cap-ex improvements, etc.Basically, is there anything we can do to "give ourselves an edge" when it comes to getting an appraisal? 

STRs do have liability with the rotation of guests so its important to ensure the liability is removed from you as the owner and contained in an LLC. 

There are lots of solutions and most of us provide the same features and functionality.