Or at least that's his intention last we spoke, if you want to connect with him let me know.  

I purchased this property with the intent to house hack, which I did for almost 5 years.

If you feel they're being too harsh, think about their intent.

But it is all about being able to demonstrate that you have used and had the intent of using that property for investment.

Yes a lease agreement is required as well as a few other items, but I would still ask them to give you their letter of intent from the housing provider.

This is cream of the crop stuff.A PE "investor" called and says "I want to send you a letter of intent". 

Try looking into zillow/Redfin and see what your potential rents you can get near the neighborhood by filtering the bedrooms/bathrooms of the intentional property that you are planning to buy.

Intent would be to pay for a cost segs for SFR, 2-4 and commercial properties.  

Or could you demonstrate that it was always a short-term rental from the beginning simply based on your listings + the several guest stays in the following year(s) during auditWithout specific guidance, I would take a risk-based approach, and call it an STR if the intent and preponderance of the subsequent actions suggests it from the service date.Is there a tax court case that establishes this?

@Michael Plaks We bought it with the intent of rehabing and renting it out as a rental.