My last purchase is up over $1m above my costs in 3.5 years. 3) alternate rent models (rent by room, STR, MTR).

Hopefully there will be at least one more good alternative soon. ;-)

The piece highlighted how investors are turning to performing notes as a stable alternative to traditional real estate investments.As someone actively involved in this space, I wanted to open up a discussion:Have you considered investing in mortgage notes?

Now, I need to find an alternative.

Since Airbnb fees increase the total charge, either of the following result - (1) host lowers amount charged so TOTAL amount still attracts customers (2) total amount is enough to decrease demand and hence increase vacancy time while consumers find cheaper alternatives either through less expensive platforms, direct with host, or at hotel, or (3) consumer stays home or goes somewhere else. 

If not, are there any alternatives I should look into? 

Alternatively, would it be worth it to long-term rent if all of the cash flow goes back to paying off a private money loan spent on the down payment? 

As a result, investors are stuck with the option of spend far more than expected to make the property rent-ready and being "all in" at 2x what they though or facing the alternative of selling at a massive loss.

You can still do well in Lehigh Valley, and you have some alternative options in terms of mid-term rental or short-term rentals in some of the towns in the valley.

Stessa, Wave, Xero are good alternatives.