Historically that has been proven to be less profitable long term.

It's smart enough to recognize gaps made by these minimums and will allow bookings that don't adhere to the minimum stay requirements for gaps. 

They aren't recognized everywhere.  

Title companies recognize this, unlike buying from a non-institutional lender. 

After a completed first purchase and property management have proven themselves, then I consider it a lot less important to return to the area for a first hand look at additional properties.

Looking in the range of in or around 100K For buy & hold in that price range, you've got two real options (1) using a proven turnkey provider like @Stephen Akindona, @Curt Davis, @Chris Clothier, or @Alex Craig or (2) using an experienced real estate broker like @Tina Sandoval, @James Wachob, or @Dean Harris.You should connect with all of them and see who's a better fit.  

In your case, I believe you are correct in that you would only recognize the interest income.  

I have access to Realist, and there's SOME information you can gather from the tax records, but not all homes have it, and it has proven to be quite time consuming (for example, if it says it was bought/refi-ed at 27k in 2011, I can run it through a mortgage calculator to get an idea of what current equity might be).

While many states recognize the old CFD or Bond for Deed, they have issues at the federal level, financing requirements, servicing problems and with title insurance.

And you want to know how long it will take for the bank to recognize the income that property is producing and use it to write you a loan.Immediately.