If you can show / prove to him that the park will be worth more because you are rebuilding the bathhouse, paving the roads and adding a playground then maybe he will feel more comfortable? 

Update: We ended up backing out of the commercial deal, way too many issues going on and shady practices that we were not comfortable engaging with.Now the question is what to do with the chunk of money left after we pay taxes.

There really isn't enough information here for someone to give you a proper answer.What you need to do is calculate those tax savings over the next 5-7 years (or however long you plan to stay in the house) vs. what the interest rate reduction will save you over that time period.

I look for locations that I am comfortable with, and look for the best rental yield I can get in that location.

They can live in the unit, stay at a friends or family members, or rent a hotel themselves.

Most tenants stay for 2 years bringing our vacancy rate to 1.9%) 

This way, you could rent out a room (or rooms) if you decide to stay, or rent the whole place out if you move.

If you didn't, seems like a bad / inexperienced accountant to suggest such a thing.In my opinion, its the same as telling someone to go to a trade school and get a new career.A STR can help you lower your taxes but I would only do it if you were planning to purchase a STR.A STR is a business, you are responsible for furnishing the house, responding to guests, providing a great stay and experience, etc

When they enter them into RentRedi they stay there until they are resolved and my partner can see them immediately as well.

If managing the STR is no longer sustainable @Robbie Shiver, here are a few alternative options to explore:Mid-Term Rentals: Consider marketing to travel nurses or corporate relocations for stays of 1-6 months.