Taxes is easiest: seller bought property in 2004 for $260,000 and modest increases in assessed value over 20 yrs.  

HOA Revenue After Property Damage:When property owners lose their homes in disasters like tornadoes, HOAs could face a drop in income due to the loss of assessment fees.

Flipsystem support completely failed to assess the ARV and guide me through the project. 

These are surveys, appraisals, and engineering assessments.

I am wondering if anyone out there has knowledge/experience  of examining these assessments/calculations for rental properties?  

I also agree with your assessment of low-end homes, if you're going low-end they better cash flow well because I wouldn't bank on appreciation. 

Since electricity and water is included in our rent, we also have a clause stating that if the monthly bill doubles compared to the month-comparable bill from the prior year, then the excess will be assessed as a fee.

I’d appreciate some feedback on my current approach and advice if any.Here’s what I’ve done so far:Pre-Approval: I’ve secured a pre-approval amount and interest rate from an online mortgage lender.Property Analysis: I’m using the mortgage and STR calculators from BiggerPockets to assess the financials for potential properties.Neighborhood Research: I’ve been exploring different neighborhoods using Niche to get insights into schools, safety, and livability.AirDNA: I’m considering subscribing to AirDNA for data on occupancy rates and rental income estimates.Questions:Is AirDNA worth the investment for STR data?

I have done this a few times myself and have a few basic recommendations:1) Make sure the seller owns the property free and clear and that it's very clear to both parties whether the arrangement involves a deed of trust or contract for deed2) If a balloon payment is involved, be sure to assess your ability to refinance and make that balloon payment in the future- optional extensions can help manage this risk3) Understand the tax implications if the interest rate is notably above or below market rates4) Get title insurance! 

Consulting with a tax advisor is your best move here, as they can assess your specific situation and explore all possible tax-saving options.Let me know if you need further clarification or financing advice!