It protects against downside risk while preserving upside potential.If the spread is too narrow, the deal is a gamble.

Smart lady that one.

Sometimes a cheaper market with cleaner numbers beats gambling on rate drops.

I started reading the thread mentioned by @Calvin Thomas I did not see your original post Calvin, but based on everything going on in that thread and what you said here in this thread, I assume it had something to do with you giving that young lady advice on the fact that the older male investor she's having coffee with is more interested in her being a young attractive woman vs the actual real estate project she was vaguely talking about.

There's one lady I really liked.

That's the bottom line as far as validation.In that case, you should create a 10 HR course on how to rob old ladies on the street at gunpoint.

The lady could not understand most of what I was saying and misquoted me when reading my reply back to me.  

I would be looking for a Realtor, that has me as best interest, not just another commission check, that also invests in the same locations that I could use their contractor, property manager, lender, maintenance crew.I guess the "I want Cash Flow + Appreciation" is what everyone wants, but it is easier said than done.My version of "investing in Vegas" is gambling.

But know going in your taking a gamble on where market price will be in those years to come.     

It's already a known challenge with sunk costs.So, pay close attention to your monthly statements and, assuming you have a PMC, chat with them at least monthly for 30-45 minutes to learn more about how they are managing your property.BTW - w/o you doing more research than you did before buying these two properties, STR will just be the next "shiny object" you gamble your money on!