The STR use I'm considering would be ideal for this location if the trees/brush are removed.

Three are audits I dealing with right not that the IRS is saying hours before renting out do not count.

So any appraiser will tell you to prioritize location, usually 1-2 miles max and ideally under 3-6 months.

Any guesses if this is the good rent for this property ?  Last tenant was paying $2300 but now I am clearly struggling to lease it even at $1900 (reduced from $1950 just yesterday)https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/23...

If I could build more and keep this one, then that would probably be ideal...

Some non-HOA neighborhoods can be sketchy/not ideal for short-term rentals.

@Charlie Brown, I'm not super familiar with your market specifically but I think this strategy works anywhere:- Find a boutique, niche, ideally aging broker/brokerage in your market, and start adding value. 

Ideally it matches the name on the booking and the credit card.

Ideally I will be using a 5% conventional loan and will be funding the DP+ closing costs myself.

At least with a Conventional loan, where there will not be any prepayment penalty, or any issue with having a 2nd lien behind it.Strategically, if you are going to keep this property and want to get a heloc, then ideally you should refinance BEFORE getting the heloc.