My idea to achieve this is to convert the studio into a short-term rental.I’m trying to determine if I’m forcing this deal to work by relying on the short-term rental strategy or if it’s a reasonable approach given the numbers.

If I have several options, I would prefer a HELOC with no initial draw requirements (i.e. to establish a literal line of credit that I have no specific short term plans to use), i.e. not something like the better.com HELOC. 

This creates a market for both short-term and long-term rental properties.Affordable housing, Compared to cities like New York, Washington D.C., or Boston, Philadelphia offers relatively affordable rent, or section 8 tenants, especially those who are relocating from more expensive areas. 

The short version: save money while educating yourself on how to invest in real estate wisely, buy an investment property, learn how to manage it well while educating yourself on how to manage it better, save money . . . rinse and repeat.You don't mention where you are (education, income, experience, etc.) or where you want to go, so I can't tell you how to get there.

I think the area is short on larger (4-5 Bedroom) homes that can really accomodate a whole family.  

The buyer signs a representation agreement with no locked in period, with the flat fee buyer agency.2.

Investment also spiked in Class A Short-Term Rentals (STR) and investors started paying higher and higher prices based upon anticipated STR rental rates, that exceeded sustainability based upon Long-Term Rental rates (LTR).

Let's assume that the neighborhood is a C class and the median income of the city is greater than 3X of the market rent.Here are some of the considerations I've come up with so far:- Units are in need of renovation and capex is too high or not available- Unit quality is not the same as market - Seller is worried about losing tenants due to increase- Vacancy rates are high or filling units have been difficult- Rent increase would take multiple increases over multiple lease periods to get to market rate if seller is trying to retain the same tenant- Seller inherited property and just want to liquidate- Seller needs to liquidate quickly (financial burden, sickness, quick exit from land-lording)It seems like I might be missing a warning sign about a deal if they are selling with current rents that are under market; but again, this seems to be most of the properties I've underwritten.And in the same vein, what should I be worried about when purchasing a deal with under market rent with the intention of raising them after purchase. 

These leads were very unresponsive and may pan out over a longer period of time but the time involved is just not worth the effort.  

Properties in or near these cultural zones can be prime for short-term rentals or Airbnb.3.