I have helped a handful of Hawaii investors purchase Air BNBs in Independence as well and just North of the River.

The statefarm agent I am working with is assuring me that it will be "written as a seasonal/secondary home for you with the endorsements to cover the air B&B"Is this adequate or should I be looking for more commercial full rental policy?

All of the things you are stating - like an Air BNB listing, actual rental, postings for rent, etc are great tools to reinforce your intent and use as investment. 

In Colorado Springs, we have a program that allows my house hackers to buy a house for $1,000 and the rest is covered with a 0% loan.

This would be in the Houston TX area or surrounding areas like The Woodlands, Spring, Katy... 

I live on Long Island and are looking to get my feet wet this spring.

Joshua Tree, Big Bear, Palm Springs, San Diego would be good markets to look into.

In Colorado Springs, I work with lenders that will offer a 0% loan on almost all of the down payment.

In Colorado Springs, we use leases for bedrooms with common shared areas (like bathrooms and family rooms).

I would also throw in Facebook, and spring the extra money for the promotion.