I agree with the comments above.Most important is a fully furnished, comfortable property with the basic amenities: coffee, teas, functional kitchen (all utensils, spices, cooking and baking, etc.)

One thing you can do right now: create the Furnished Finder listing with unfurnished photos, mention in the description that the property will be furnished soon, and start fielding inquiries and watching the unmatched leads section.

Not to mention the upfront cost of furnishing. 

the costs for the Airbnb furnishings could be anywhere from $20K- $30K.. are hard money lenders willing to include this amount in the initial loan? 

Will not yet be ready for window treatments as the renovation is still ongoing, and getting closer to time when itemized list of damages are to be furnished. 

When renting out furnished rooms, am I obligated to provide the exact furnishings and decor shown in the original listing photos?

Deferred rents to let me launch, furnishing on deferment, etc etc.. 

ie, wind damages the roof and that lets in rain that damages sheetrock, floors, furnishings,...   

Nowadays many vacation homes are priced as STR businesses with profits baked into the price (with future guests expecting instagram furnishings).  

To offset costs, I’m planning to buy a duplex and pursue a house-hacking strategy:1.Rent out one unit as a long-term rental.2.Live in the other unit and rent out the bedrooms as short-term rentals (STRs) through a furnished rental approach.Before diving in, I have a couple of questions:1.Can I use a property for both short-term and long-term rentals?