Numerous times I have been able to think through an issues that arose on a construction site and saved the Owner by proposing an alternate route to resolve it. 

Steadily has their own product (with multiple writing companies) and then they offer policies through other carriers just as an independent agency would. 

However, we will likely need a property manager to assist with some facets of running this rental (since we would not live locally) and would primarily market it through platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO to start, (eventually setting up a direct booking process).Here's our question for those who have experience in STR's or who might be involved in a similar scenario: How challenging is it to meet the material participation hours needed to achieve active status?

You may have to dig through the minutia to understand them.

These repairs are through a contracting company owned and operated by the PM. 

Once the property is on the MLS, it is visible through any number of consumer websites.  

@Andrew Slezak I'm working through the Sec8 process for the first time so take this with a grain of salt, but my understanding is they will pay the lesser of the following two prices:1) the market rent of your property, determined by comps, and2) the FMR minus any utilities you don't include.

A prudent investor doesn't seek quick riches through shortcuts.

My question again stems around using seller financing to allow them to receive a consistent monthly pay of X amount and delay/lower their tax bill in the short term instead of going through a lender to borrow 800k+ causing my mortgage to be significant part of our income roughly 40-50% of take home -  which we are approved for LOL.

Once you have a market chosen I'd connect with a realtor/wholesalers in that market through BP or Facebook groups to get a first hand view from them on how their market is performing.