Ft)For ARV, it is best to have an experienced real estate agent find comps for you to determine a safe number to work off of. 

Sounds like I can safely write them off only after I purchase the rental and start the renovations to ultimately rent it out.

I usually like to start it shorter to be safe if I need to end the tenancy, but I know some people opt for the longer 14-15 month leases.

If it holds up under these conditions, you've got a solid investment—better safe than sorry!

I like to look for locations that are good, and that I’d feel safe and comfortable living in if I was a single woman with a couple of kids.

The other method is to use a “safe harbor”, i.e., the specific procedures laid out by the SEC in Regulation D.  

There really isn't a safe, secure way for someone to protect their interests.

If this sounds like your perfect playground, go for it :) There are STR restrictions in these areas, so make sure you know what you're buying before you do. 2.

An investor who has participated in a subject to transaction without lender approval should NOT assume that they are safe from note being accelerated because a certain amount of time has passed.  

You can put a mortgage into a "trust: without triggering a due on sale but again contacting your bank/lender is the best route to avoid any issues.Some banks/lenders or servicing companies change guidelines and even a trust may require other paperwork but the attorney usually facilitates that to be safe.