Those are generally at least 1 of the following:1) Where they currently live2) Where they grew up3) Where they currently have family/friends living (if not included in #1 or #2)4) And as a last resort, an area where they like to travel/vacation frequently

Bidens are a great example as they are about as high profile as it comes, and as of yet nobody has been able to untangle the weave of exactly how all there entities work, what $ comes from where, and that's with arguably hundreds of thousands of people-hours into trying to untangle it to clearly point to where the $ is originating and who it's going to. 

It sounds like nothing has fundamentally changed but you are feeling frustrated with capex spikes and a bad tenant.

These are professionals with additional training and a stricter code of ethics.

I set my Zillow on notification and as soon as I saw this house and the visual impact it has, I thought it would be great as an Airbnb.

You need a report done so you can request repairs or credits and a handyman isn't doing that and the seller wouldn't validate it.

If you think you have average intelligence and a general hard working person, for non luxury STRs (competing with 3 star or below hotels in the area for average people who simply need a bed and a kitchen) I would use 60% occupancy rate to start in the beginning and then 80% after stabilization.

Im a realtor and a pm up here.

At a bare bones minimum, the letter confirms the start/end dates of the lease, monthly rent, paid-through date, absence of any prepaid rent other than the current month, and security deposit amount.Better, it will include statements there are no unresolved claims or disputes or repair issues with the current landlord, and no verbal or written side agreements.Better yet, it will include a copy of the tenant's lease, and a confirmation the lease is a true and correct copy with no amendments.

no way to really answer this until we know what state or counties you want to do these developments in.Each state and County can be vastly different and as such change the metrics of that whole laundry list of questions you asked.