STR insurance provides broader coverage, including liability, property damage (even non-guest-related), and gaps Aircover might not cover.For damages caused by guests, document everything (photos, receipts, estimates) and file a claim through Airbnb.

The totals come down to $3000 and $550 respectively. 

You don't always have to incentivize a tenant with a discount to get the tenant to stay, nor keep rents stagnant, but it is good to be aware of the business impact with respect to cost too.

Are their listings detailed with good-quality photos?

We would need photos of each proposed animal, as well.

In the end my tenant received a reward for being respectful to my property and I am now have this unit locked until next year with a small dip is gross rev!.

The two that I have held the longest (7 and 6 years old) if sold today would give a true IRR of 9% and 20% respectively. 

With respect to paying $44k off on your HELOC, I personally think that is totally fine and a great start. 

You want prospective tenants to come see it, walk it, imagine living there so don't get in the weeds on the details or offer photos that aren't great. 

(With invested capital, this matters, plenty of people are worth "taking a shot on" in other capacities, just not with respect to managing my money).2) "Is this investment where I'm giving you money the top priority in your professional life?"