If oven, washer, dryer go out, I would pay them some money for during the week for food to eat out or laundromat, and then fix on the weekend.As you said you're in the learning phase.

They bring food and hats and other marketing materials.

Have your agent throw a broker open (possibly with food) to get agents through and get feedback. 

I'm wondering if anyone has experience catering to this rental demographic, and what key things should I be including in my rehab (e.g. bars in shower/tub, ramps on any steps, etc.)?

Looking to purchase one and struggling with the right calculators to determine the real metrics.As I understand it (recently looked at buying a former bnb) you need to treat it like any other STR with your extra costs such as food, etc  baked in to the expenses.

Mine is a bit verbose since I cater to low income, but am happy to share with anyone who sends me a private message or e-mail.  

If you brought your spouse and 2 kids with you, and you could argue all of your argue of your time on the trip was looking at real estate, and your personal business and activity circumstance defends being able to immediately deduct it and not treat it as a start up cost... likely 75% of much of the travel costs (airfare, food, etc) would be non-deductible. 

Just my food for thought here

I do manage some small apartment complexes and generally there are not too many issues, but not zero.Also, for me as a PM I have fixed costs per unit, so to have 5 listings in 1 house would be cost prohibitive.Just food for thought, good luck!

You should then figure out if your market caters to that strategy.