I'm looking for US markets that have a low cost to entry (SFR or multi for under $100K per unit/"door") yet have a strong potential for short term rentals.

The terms are very attractive and its all unsecured debt. 

Turns out a wholesaler already had it under contract for a short sale and were just listing it to fulfil the formality.

This means the size of the piers, reinforcing steels and depth of the piers are supersized.2) The Berkeley, Kensington market is red hot and contractors are in short supply.

I know short sale can take sometime because I would need the bank to approve my offer also and their agent (niece) is willing to show me the home before it goes on market and they are open to working on deal.Should I pursue this deal and what would be a good strategy for this?

In short, I'm wanting to add another bdrm and full bath.

In short, I'm wanting to add another bdrm and full bath.

You can buy nicer rent-ready properties that will attract higher quality tenants and have a good property manager managing the property (5 minutes per year time spend), or you can buy a total dumper that needs rehabbing and then you can landlord it yourself (up to hundreds of hours of time spend).

what's to stop them if I'm at work or short vacation and someone breaks in and claims it as their home because " a PM rented them a furnished place ?"

In this case you'd either need to pay enough to pay off the mortgage--in other words, pay full price--or pursue a short sale.