And to accommodate the cost of living based on the different city I am planning to look at the percentage contribution of the total income(Example: 40% rent, 20% food, 10% transportation etc) which should account for the cost of living

While 12 month leases are the norm, there are more quads recently that are accommodating short term clients with a much higher yield.  

I haven't been on the business side, but for my latest vacations, I look to Craigslist for accommodations.

Competition that is willing to accommodate those sellers.Case to the point - I underwrote a particular property to $10M and so did two smart competitors.

The city (Ottawa) has undertaken a rental accommodation study - currently in consultation phase.

If this is an actual medical condition, severe enough to be considered a disability, then you could make the reasonable accommodation.

If it looks like they are going to burn my place down I will not be so accommodating.

Do not expect the students to do anything with respect to maintenance of the property (lawn care, snow removal, filter changes, etc) beyond cleaning (even then we offer an incremental cleaning service ... and reserve the right to compel it if they property is not being kept to minimum level of cleanliness).We have become more of an accommodations services provider than a traditional landlord and offer our student tenants several incremental services (your search above will undoubtedly discover some of them).

A dog pooping and staining the carpet is in fact damage regardless of it is a pet or a service animal.This is an accommodation.

Walk into the bank where you have your checking/savings, and ask to speak with a mortgage rep, and they will accommodate you.