I assume this is the case in most states. 

I have seen a few for that price but its not common and you will have multiple bidders if you do.Also one thing to take note of is that even though Maryland may currently be more tenant friendly than Virginia right now that may not be the case in the future.

I've won every case in small claims.  

Well, that's not the case in Ohio.

However, to point to the STR and state because it is less than 30 days it does not conform to zoning (or is magically commercial because it is less than 30 days) is not a case in any case I am aware of (and not how the various cities I am aware of are restricting/prohibiting STRs (they are not claiming it as a zoning violation or that it is more commercial than renting MTM)).

Builders Risk insurance is necessary when your first party coverage excludes damage to your property when your property is undergoing construction,  which is the case in many commercial property policies. 

In the case of a taxpayer where their real estate business is clearly a full time job, those research and education hours might count, but at that point typically those hours are such a small piece of the pie that it doesn't matter.There was a tax court case in 2015 where travel time was allowed to be counted towards the 750 hour test, but my read is that the taxpayer already materially participated in the underlying rental activities before the aggregation election (they self-managed), so their drive time would be hours in a real property trade or business that they materially participate.

That's the case in my town. 

It is not worth the risk and it is a sign that they can’t afford the rental which is obviously the case in this situation.Do not be taken in by their stories.

Additionally, using a case in Texas by a lawyer in Colorado in an attempt to justify wholesaling in Ohio is not a good legal opinion.