@Garrette Becker One thing to consider when looking at out-of-state purchases in the expense associated with travel to both view properties as well as check-up on them.  

I have some time to travel and visit these places if needed. 

I dream of working from a beach house or traveling the world and giving orders to your employees while trekking through the amazon.

I tell students in my Airbnb class that they should consider renting to a traveling nurse or relocating professional for 3-6 months during the slow season, and that gives you the flexibility to open your place up to short-term rentals during the summer.

That's helpful/important information, as I have found that contractors from one side often won't travel to the other side (read: West side contractors refuse to travel to east side suburbs!).

Make sure to give rooms special touches even though you won't great people bottles of water, fruit, bag of chips can go a long way for a hungry traveler.

We want to be able to travel more and see the world before the kids are out of the house.My goals are to double the amount of doors for 2017, then again in 2018. 

Was it mostly for the travel and/or attendance to the Phoenix Conference?

I don't think you'll find anything in SoCal where $10K will get you started and if you want to look out of state you have to factor in travel costs in addition to the normal closing costs.  

I now believe it is my passion, (well, that and traveling) and purpose, and what I'm meant to do in life.