Do I have to just accept that and now own a property that doesn’t cash flow because the average rent prices went down?

I would add the trip as an additional expense going to the cleaner, since it takes time.

This strategy allows investors to generate rental income that can cover their living expenses, allowing them to save money and build wealth.

Utah is expensive. 

I was able to move an existing tenant from an older less expensive property into this one and increase rent.

The platforms have become renter focused which is not a bad think except for when they are allowing scammers to get free stays at the expense of the owners.

Hey Brock, totally can relate with you being from an expensive real estate market - I moved to Columbus a few years ago (from Portland, Oregon which was super expensive) to become a full time real estate investor, and ever since, I've completed quite a lot of BRRRRs, flips, and own a successful rental portfolio here in Columbus Ohio.

Just analyzing the average revenue and typical home prices that the report provided, I found that most of the markets wouldn't really be great place to get started. 

If everything becomes expensive, so does Real Estate.

They also are interest only and carry rates from 9-12% on average, with most hard money loans between 10.99-12% at the moment.