Using co-hosts might help distribute management tasks, but this can complicate your ability to meet the material participation requirements, especially the 100-hour rule.

Philly always had the ability to become a great city; but the people who are elected just hurt the hand that feeds it. 

For direct bookings, you've got to improve your SEO ranking on Google. 

Receiving rent while starting the rehab doesn't affect the ability to deduct these expenses, but you cannot deduct them all at once.

Without the ability to obtain a loan / financing - the next steps will be harder to accomplish

Low down payment is a significant part of your criteria, Michael, and it obviously fits your personal needs, wants, financial position, goals….But for myself, for instance, ability to pay a low dp is of absolutely no importance.  

I haven't been able to secure the SBA funding on my own so I questions his ability to do so.My question is whether or not this is normal. 

You will also have the ability to refinance the new purchase easily with a delayed purchase refinance (You can price these as a rate and term refinance), if you plan on only refinancing the purchase price + cost of improvements. 

I'm only building rental cabins which is a higher price point due to their ability to produce income. 

Just be aware that it can kill the tax benefits of your STR.To keep your ability to deduct STR losses, you cannot use the property for "personal purposes" for more than 14 days a year.