Here in NY if I wrote a cash for keys agreement, it would have to be filed in specific legal places with certain documents and notarized. 

If so what documents were used?

STR insurance provides broader coverage, including liability, property damage (even non-guest-related), and gaps Aircover might not cover.For damages caused by guests, document everything (photos, receipts, estimates) and file a claim through Airbnb.

You may also need to provide additional documentation, such as proof of income and employment, and may need to have a co-signer who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.In terms of buying with an LLC, it can be a good option for some foreign buyers, as it can provide additional liability protection and potentially offer tax benefits.

What documents do they require, what credit scores do they allow, how do they verify previous rental history, etc.?

Quote from @Scott MacComb: I have had contractors just do a small list on a paper napkin, and some do something on a word document.

Document the details of this deal as your sample deal.2.

(should have documented, dates may not be exact) What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

Details matter: keep a log (something like an excel spreadsheet) that documents the date, duration, and events that occurred/work you did. 2.

., asking questions, reading through the documents, etc.) and continue educating yourself via books and podcasts so that you can leverage that expertise to do your own deals in the future.