Criteria:6 months STR2 bd, 2 ba, Single Level House Furnished with yard, washer & dryer with A/C (inland not near coast)Pet Allowable 40 lb labodor 10 yrs, 40 lbs Red Heeler Mix and 6 lbs catNear VA Hospital, shops, grocery stores (at least 25 minutes commute)

nearly every single applicant will tell me their pet is either ESA or Service dog.  

I like how I can dig into the competition and see their nightly rate, pet policy, etc.   

We're wondering about various what-if's though, such as what if the people tear up the place, what if we don't want to rent to someone in particular due to references or credit or pets, etc.

I also want to say that if you’re marketing to traveling nurses, the key things they want are 1) black out curtains; 2) quiet, and 3) to bring their little doggies (so he pet-friendly.Another tip is when using Furnished Finders (which is a $99 annual fee per listing) if you have a multifamily, just get one FF account per address, and then as each unit becomes vacant, just change the pictures and listing copy.

Stainless only.Various Prices - Neween 100% Waterproof Sofa Cover - https://www.walmart.com/ip/NEWEEN-100-Waterproof-Sofa-Cover-...If you are thinking about allowing pets, these are a must buy.

As easy as this sounds, it's not simple and usually like pulling teeth.

That's why most of the other people have suggested that you find a way to buy a property yourself, and cut your teeth on managing STR (or even LTR) with your own property. 

Think grandma and pets here living in house.

Like you would go to the dentist if your teeth are aching rather than going to the barber.As I keep repeating when encountering this kind of chatter, everybody is entitled to their opinions but not to their own facts so let's look at the facts, shall we?