Which would make a better rental property - a brand new, medium-sized home on a relatively small lot with lots of features and "trendy" interior, or a large, older home with a distinctly 90's vibe?

I'm a 20 year retired Air Force member and I am very involved with RE investing with a distinct focus on duplexes.  

Distinct advantage.

As the industry confuses, mixes, and interchanges the two distinctly different home types frequently, I do as well.

That’s why I made a distinction by saying most are incompetent and of little help to “ investors” .in my little experience  Realtors are great if your looking a single family  dream home for your family to live in .. but  my thing was from an investors vantage point there are other ways and it would do the poster well to use a variety of methods on his own instead of relying on a commission based system 

Do you have zoning distinctions for commercial and residential properties?

STRs are absolutely possible throughout the Charleston Metro area, but each municipality has distinct rules and regulations.

I love it here2 hours to the beach.2 hours to the mountains. you get 4 different and distinct seasons. 

But Amanda recommended a separate checking account to keep rental expenses/income distinctly separate.  

The further provisions of the Taxpayer Assistance Act of 2008 create a distinction between converting from primary to rental and vice versa under sec 121.