The question will then be if there's a modular design that fits your area/lot/clientele enough that it makes sense not to stick-build.

If you are a designer, you usually have an apprentice, then start your own brand.If you are a politician, you start local, then go national. 

Unfortunately, the area I'm looking at lacks much on the market because ideally I would prefer to take an existing building and overhaul the inside, hence exploring the option to build now.As I look at the existing commercial properties for sale, I see that there are designations on the property type.

I would work with my attorney and (possibly) my CPA to design a better solution. 

One of the keys to the HUD 4155 is section 4155.1 4.B.2.c  where it says "FHA will not insure a mortgage if it is determined that the transaction was designed to use FHA mortgage insurance as a vehicle for obtaining investment properties, even if the property to be insured will be the only one owned using FHA mortgage insurance." 

Comps that are most like the subject property in layout, appeal design, neighborhood, same bedroom count and adjusted for different bathroom counts, with bracketed sq. ft. and bracketed sales prices. 

Myself I have a building  background and possess journey level skill in almost all trades except maybe doing concrete work and I am also an architectural designer so I perfer properties that can be increased in value through forced appreciation and look for properties where the zoning, set back, and other requirements allow for adding square footage to a building but others perfer invest in turnkey properties already fully occupied whereas I like working with empty buildings. 

You can use it in many contexts but the basic idea is for the subcontractor to suggest to the GC/Owner about various design/product changes that could save a decent amount of money.

The 'Silicon Valley' tag is the Forbes author's twist, but I think is clearly a bit of hyperbole designed to grab reader attention, something more and more difficult to do, especially for a piece of this length.

And while Airbnb and HomeAway do provide some insurance coverage for hosts in case of damage, you'll absolutely need a homeowner's insurance policy that's designed for a short term rental property - which is different from standard homeowner's insurance.