i just pushed back on my agent and insisted on 8/1 inspection because if we do inspections 8/1 with 15 days to get mold testing back, we can close 8/21 or 8/28.

Consequently, Members should always act in such a way that supports a positive reputation for the industry and avoids any conduct or activity that would reasonably result in lower public confidence in the profession.A Member shall assist, support, and respond to the needs of other credit and collection professionals and promote accountability by all participants in the credit and collection cycle.A Member shall maintain high standards of professional conduct and shall insist that fellow Members and business partners do likewise.A Member shall maintain a good reputation in the community.A Member acting under proper auspices should encourage and participate in educational and public relations programs concerning the receivables industry, including the operation of the legal system with particular reference to legal problems that frequently arise.

I would definitely insist on a guarantor from the company. 

I do it mostly because the veteran real estate investors here know you never find anything but human feces and decades-old porn behind water heaters, and I think it's a great private joke for all of us about how weird this business is, especially seeing how the newbies react, all offended that anyone could possibly be dishonest here in the forums about finding rubberbanded and cellophane-wrapped stacks of used twenties in a hundred-year-old defunct crapshack in Yinzerburgh, of all places.And every year, right on the button, I get a bunch of people who insist they know exactly how I should invest my found money.

If seller is willing to finance 20%, is he willing to accept a subordinated lien or is he insisting on a first lien?

The exception would be if this was already permitted for STR - short term rentals VRBO then it might be worth it based on location.If you just want to buy a home and have a unit to help cover the mortgage I would still insist on lower price point or NO HOA to help get the total mortgage down so that the other unit covers 50% of the overall payment.  

I would insist on it. 

For out-of-state STRs investors, is it normal for a cohost / property manager to insist on creating an OTA listing on their account to better streamline their systems?

The guests insist no one smokes but they did grill.

Good cash on cash returns take some work, like raising rent over time, doing light value adds, etc..If you jump in and insist on high cash on cash returns from day one you may find yourself in a tough neighborhood.