Furnished common area, furnished each bedroom with a queen bed, a dresser, a desk and a chair, then we listed on every platform that I can list and I paid every platform for their premium listing.

IMHOThere are more international students staying, I've seen it where I work (at a university), but many of the newcomers are not students and a country our size can't handle that many people in a relatively short period of time. 

You'd qualify for a hard money loan if you have a solid deal and a partner with experience. 

Now I have seen a situation where there was a pre-2016 build, but the previous owner pulled permit to install a pool and a new Certificate of Occupancy was issued after 2016. 

Good luck with it I am sure you will do very well since your experience is at both ends being a flipper and a lender. 

you can likely buy a small multi in a great neighborhood and (i'm making this up) if it has a 4 BR and a studio, you live in the studio and rent out the 4 BR.

Also, while you can get up to 80% cash-out with a 720+ FICO and a 1.0+ DSCR I don't see why you're being capped at 70% LTV currently. 

For example, I am a little concerned about some aspects of the business cycle recovery and a potential for a double-dip so I lean toward the safest part of capital stack which is debt (or low-debt equity).

If you are not selling it then put a “not for sale” sign on it and a no trespassing sign.

If you have a plan A and a plan B going in you are setting yourself up to fail right away because you have told your minds already it won't work so you won't put your all into plan A.