If that's the case, you'll want to start with a fix and flip (or hold) type of loan, complete your renovations, get it rented out and THEN refinance into a DSCR loan for a long term hold. 

Also, the term "house hacking" is generally used for your owner occupied home (renting out rooms in your primary home) and that income cannot be used to help you qualify (it is considered boarder income). 

Different DSCR lenders have different guidelines.More on DSCR loans: DSCR loans won't use your income to underwrite the loan. 

That's my biggest concern.But I should also look at the tax and long term benefits.

@Chinku Chinku how is paying the loan balance down going to help you reach your goals?

Normally the escrow agent will want mutual sign off even if its clear the contract terms indicate one party should be awarded the escrow funds.

Last short term rental we put on the market was booked for a 30 day stay first day on the market.

If my spouse wasn’t opposed to moving I would try to buy a new house hack every 12-15 months and use low down payment owner occupied loans for as long as it made sense.

just double checked my lender is now 80% LTV for short term rentals only 85% for long term rentals

https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/brrrr-loans-what-are-the-...Short-Term Rental Loans: What Are the Options and How Do DSCR Loans Stack Up?