The goal would be to refinance after 5 years, use appreciation to pay off 60k, and cash flow would continue to increase over time. 

Over the course of the year I have turned over 4/8 units and been able to rehab and rent for more.

What we have seen on the west coast is first folks in did well to real well.. now its in the dumps.. most are losing money hand over fist..

You can network with other locals that may be able to provide a good path for you before spending money on courses. 

I noticed that they kept making more and more of a mess over time, and I have caught them lying to me about multiple things over the past 2 years. 

A few areas I’ve heard are challenges are finding cleaners, increased regulation, and over saturation of the markets… STR managers and owners would you say that one of these is the case or something else?

The tenant is responsible, however, good luck collecting anything over and above the deposit. 

Pick your dilemma - tenant quits paying rent and squats in the house for 2 months while you spend $1,000 to evict them, the AC goes out and it's $5,000 to repair, you need a new water heater, or roof, etc.  

I don't understand why them (the buyer) has not sent over the EM release.

I think this will not last and they will have to lower their prices soon, because the market force that is driving this might be people running out of money to spend.