I know that one of the first tasks is to obtain a licensing for rentals in the city.

This method allows you to take some of the profit tax free and indefinitely defer the rest of tax, using it to purchase larger, nicer property/properties in areas with better cash flow potential.

Perhaps that’s another reason they want a large deposit.Maybe consider obtaining your own lender for financing.

Eventually I obtained insurance on all the aplliances in case a repair is needed.

Obtain a new policy under the FL LLC (the beneficiary of the Trust).3.

You'll also need to obtain a license ($25) unless you only list on Airbnb or Vrbo, because they will collect and remit this tax for you. 

If you’re running a MTR more like a STR, then you can decide to charge the full boat as agreed or, if you desire (possibly to obtain a good review) find a substitute renter for the period in question and credit the original renter.If, like me you operate a MTR more like a LTR just for a shorter period of time, you probably use a specific rental form provided by either the state real estate commission of the local NAR affiliate.  

But in summary, I've still been experiencing lenders make it a big harder to obtain financing.

I'm working on obtaining my first student rentals in MN this year, with a goal to hit 50 properties within 5 years. 

You will be able to indefinitely defer all of the capital gains taxes as well as not have to recapture any depreciation.