If you want to build a good portfolio of highly profitable STRs, buying a 3 bedroom or making compromises on size and location when in 6 months you can save up enough to improve both, feels like an early mistake.

.- Limited upside (no sweat-equity)Pros:- No improvements are needed.- More longevity (Easier modeling of CAPEX)- More lucrative/easier to rent.Did I miss anything?

My favorite one seemed cool - he/she sniffed the air like a dog and seemed pleasant.

And if you can't get a repairman out to fix the TV, refrigerator, hot tub, or air conditioner the same day, you are refunding lots of rents, PLUS the cost of paying a professional repair company to fix the issue(s).

Renting rooms or Air BnB might be tough.

I know tons of people are visiting the city just curious to see how far out of the heart of the city Air bnb guests are looking to stay.

And it's great that you're so open-minded to remotely owning out-of-state real estate.The Northeast has a lot of high-paying jobs - the best thing you can do is save your income, then take that capital and re-deploy it to Southern STR real estate.I'd strongly suggest NOT getting a property manager (waste of money) & always looking for ways to innovate & improve - there's a lotta money to be made in this game!

If you made improvements during your house hack and increased the value, you might then be able do a VA refi if you had remaining benefits.

Considering selling and upgrading to a larger home that has lower HOA fees to improve cash flow.  

They spent a few months working on it and improving various things, mainly cosmetic.