IF so then Furnish Finders might be an option for Mid-Term rental.  

It's not worth hiring a lawyer but as you suggested, small claims court may be an option IF you hired them in your personal capacity OR if your jurisdiction allows LLC owners to go to small claims and represent the LLC in court (many, most?

Additionally, regarding the legal structure, an LLC seems to be the most suitable option for our situation.

Another option could be a home equity line of credit (HELOC) if you have enough equity in your primary or second home.

There are so many other options!

Some, like ours, focus on offering optional services such as renters insurance or washer/dryer rentals without requiring tenants to opt into a full package.When choosing a property manager, I recommend asking about the structure and purpose of any fees.

But with perseverance and a willingness to explore unconventional options, you can turn even the toughest situations into successes.Have any of you ever faced a deal that seemed destined to fail?

Does anyone have experience with this or other options in using Fund and Grow credit cards with conventional/unconventional lenders? 

Have you and your wife considered exploring fully turnkey properties as an option?

If you come to the conclusion that you need to focus on your primary earning job but want to start investing in real estate then maybe a turnkey option would be best.