There are cheaper one’s in D/F areas but I would be careful as those can create a laundry list of additional issues.

Conventional financing will work for this just fine.

@Kyle Trotman If you purchased with a hard money loan conventional lenders will require extensive seasoning to utilize the new appraised value for cash out. 

These days as you mention with STR almost everything can be handled remotely...cleaning, painting, locksmith, yard care, even drive by pictures of the house occasionally or internal pictures too. 

I would get an exterminator to take care of it since its a rental and that way they know you are trying to resolve it.

I understand that it's unrealistic to expect anyone to treat your property with the same level of care you would, but the company we hired has been a NIGHTMARE. 

I do not have a traditional W2 job so I can't pursue the typical conventional loan or a FHA since I don't have income (hence the DSCR route).However, I've seen that most DSCR lenders do not lend if the loan amount is less than $100K.

There are conventional strategies and unconventional strategies to get started in real estate. 

I don’t believe people or even care about their opinions unless they are acting on them.  

Quote from @Jason Burkart: Quote from @Theresa Harris: Whatever you do, I'd keep it in your name if you are the one paying for it, in part for some of the reasons others mentioned (if at some point she goes into a retirement home and needs to use her assets to pay for care).Are you able to pay for her home for 10-20 years?