I’m planning to purchase some land and build a small 12x12 cabin.

Chances are, they will avoid you because they are not planning to report this income.

I am planning to get into the TN real estate market as my first investment and am looking for some information.In particular: Areas to steer clear of, property management fees, typical cosmetic rehab costs, etc.My strategy is to put large down payments on 2 properties (relative to housing prices) to help pay for my living in NY while still gaining appreciation in a growing real estate market.

If you do a furnished LTR you will still have to worry about your furnishings and possibly consumables/linens if you plan on providing that sort of thing. 

Let me know if you plan to make it so I can let the owner know and he can make sure they are properly prepared.

We had planned on eventually redoing the kitchens and floors in both units once we turned over new tenants, but the evictions accelerated that process.

I had a friend purchase a Vacation home financed with RBC last year. 

My boyfriend and I plan to move to Carbondale, Illinois at the beginning of next year.

If you don’t plan to sell the lots w/mobile homes is there a reason you have to split the lot?

You are going to get conflicting responses on this because a lot of it comes down to your plans and your tolerance for risk, which are things known only to you.