Have to ensure that with taxes and insurance added you can meet the DSCR ratio needed but you should be able to refinance out of this one.

The challenge we're facing is the lack of short term rental data for the appraiser, and we won't know if it will meet the debt service coverage ratio (DSCR) requirements until the appraisal is complete.Has anyone dealt with a similar situation?

This could potentially meet your financial needs by itself as well as provide start up money to do flips or purchase buy and holds

Pick a screening platform/application that makes sense for you.As for meeting the applicants, I recommend meeting them at the property to show the place to them rather than getting coffee or food with them.

Maybe attend a chamber of commerce meeting and ask around where development will start.

If a bank does this, they have no flexibility in their lending and must meet Fannie Mae's and Freddie Mac's requirements in each loan.

To give you an idea of what taxes look like on a sale below is an example for a property in Texas, obviously everyone's situation is unique and you'll need to meet with a CPA. 

Sure there is still the risk of tenants not accepting new rental rates and leaving, but at least the seller doesn't automatically incur lease renewal costs. 

You have the tools and mindset that work with larger scale commercial so I would network until you meet someone who may let you run some of their deals with them and see what they look like in person.

Im hosting an investor meet-up tonight.