Considering the ever-evolving landscape of Short-Term Rental (STR) regulations, What are the best 5 states in your opinion to build a STR portfolio starting today? 

I have done mid term rentals for years, and mostly by the room (similar to you renting out different parts of your house).

Idea of long term buy and hold investing, building up equity & future cash flow.

Long and short, switched all my insurance. including auto to one company.  

RE investors have a tendency to overbuild capacity during boom times and we've had a long run so far.  

But I'll stay in my box.Notes: * - My investing: generational (long-term 20+yr) rental holds, "starter home", 1978+, SI (Stability Index) > 90, CI (Confidence Index) > 90

@Katie Southard For first tenant after we moved who said no way to get to post office during hours, we gave them our keys with signed addendum to the lease that said if they don’t return all of our mailbox keys at lease end, I’m reimbursed for my deposit from their security deposit, and that they are responsible to obtain new keys from post office, themselves, during lease term if lost.

The joys of short term rental hosting.

The lending terms (specifically the down payment requirement) are generally much more favorable for an owner occupant and you can always convert it to a rental property down the road.Good luck!

This will be at a higher rate than if you had long term tenants.