At some point you need a new roof, plumbing, windows, HVAC, etc - setting aside 5% of rent may cover a new water heater, but very few components of a house last more than 50 years.It's 2024: books written in 2015 or 2018 are based on the market conditions in year 5 years before they were written.

While the design a key component to getting people to book your property, the stay experience is key.  

This then wraps back into the raising capital dilemma, as that is the major component that I'm missing.I know this was a post full of jarbled thoughts and questions but if anyone has even a shred of insight or advice, that would be much appreciated!

It sounds like you are trying to help people find a home to your own detriment.

Death and tax's, those are your 2 "guarantees" in life, everything else has a risk factor, a component of "chaos" in it. 

These are supposed to majorly drag down a properties value, but this is my 2nd highest priced comp on price per sq ft.

There is a big location component in rentals, especially this segment and you can't fix that.   

By the time it reaches the tax sale, the property has often been vacant for many years, with all the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC components having been stolen. 

The original ownership was very smart in that it has a campground component and there are over 300 houses in 318 acres.

. $8,800 to 11,000.00 is more realistic because like most guru's they hold back key components unless you pay more for them.