The likely scenario seems to be much less and since it is available on a stream basis through a year difficult to deploy into a liquid investment with a guaranteed short term rate of return over ~4%.

Portland is becoming a bigger tourism hub (Japan even has a Portland mascot) so short term rentals are hot.

If my options are for $75,000 are a Cleveland duplex that rents for $1,300/mo with an indefinite hold period or $75,000 to spend on some other income stream I am probably going with the other income stream. 

It is possible that it won't solve the issue if it is the network itself.I use the Schlage Encode but it is attached via Z-Wave to a Samsung SmartThings hub vs WiFi.

Risk adjusted that's not so bad for a predictable income stream.

We have had quite a few longer term and last minute stays streaming in and this is looking to be a better Sept than anticipated, but overall par for the course. 

There seems to be demand for this consistent income stream.

On the other hand, Agents have an advantage, because they typically have more resources and additional streams of income at their fingertips than Investors.

This business is 1000x easier when you have a steady stream of income, no matter what type of investing.

It's worth noting that Roth IRA's also provide tax free money but penalties before the age of 59 1/2 will hurt you if you draw before then.This client of mine also has a RE portfolio that is paying for this IUL, so she gets it regarding multiple streams of smart income.