So far I've been quoted $2950-3400 to have a new railing built that is regulation height. 

It is government subsidized, which means it will be management and paperwork intensive - especially after this disaster.

Which ever city you go with I'd recommend looking into a local landlord association as they tend to have insider knowledge of all the rules and regulations.

Domi gives your home address a unique digital ID so all your physical mail, including bills, statements, government notices, and even junk mail, can be delivered digitally.

The biggest risks are the tenant not paying and then now with the government shutdown, the government potentially paying late.as someone else said, I'd recommend house hacking.

A lot of investors in that niche hang out in local STR meetups, regional REI groups, and even city-specific Facebook groups where hosts discuss regulations and openings.Curious — are you mainly seeing historic homes, or more rural/semi-rural properties with acreage?

From an STR focused broker familiar with regulations and getting properties launched, top-tier investment focused lender, responsive title agent and capacity for boots on the ground (especially if out of state) any one of which can be the difference in succesful execution. 

That’s true of all monopolies both government or corporate, and often even when 2 or 3 different entities have “divided” market share.  

That puts you in a strong place to start making real moves.Since you’re in Portland, just be aware that cash flow can be tough locally due to pricing, taxes, and regulations.

Owning gives you equity, control, and long-term stability, even if the buy-in is higher.When choosing a market, focus on regulation stability, consistent demand, and reliable local support.