It totally depends upon the size of the STR. 

If you can qualify with your income, DTI and employment history, conventional may offer better terms.

Your best bet for that size will be local banks and credit unions, good luck.

Were incomes and employment verified?  

We fee like a conservative approach will let us go through the growing pains of better understanding real estate investing without the worry of being over leveraged to add to the stress while we are both still employed full time in our careers and do not plan on quitting our jobs to go fully into real estate. 

Read it and employ it.The only thing I'd really hammer home is understand and study the market you want to get into-- meaning visit it multiple times, know the streets, get a healthy understanding.

Conventional at 5% down would cap you at 3% concessions, but generally is more lenient with employment history and property condition. 

Thats in the 1500 to 1800 sq ft size. 

Growing population, great employment opportunities, steady appreciation etc.The best amenity has been location.

The house is also furnished with a solid wood no spring couch, and a solid wood round dining table, and a king sized bedroom set in the master.