The plumbing industry has so many different type of materials and codes that most customers simply don't know what to buy and get frustrated after so many trip trying, because they keep buying the wrong thing.

Sometimes the best way to find the right type of mentor is simply growing your network and going about your business. 

Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge are both extremely strong right now , with most people overpaying in the years that you mentioned and simply not KNOWING OR CARING  how to properly run a top notch Air BNB. 

It'd definitely support your rental business if you have an aesthetically pleasing property.

We do have a house we rent in the area and simply love it.

It is simply far too tenant friendly. 

To prove payments you could simply show your latest statement to the lender denying you hundreds of thousands of dollars.

It might be easiest to simply not renew the lease if its a 1 year lease.  

I simply asked but how many qualify for a house around the median price point(this was for Raleigh, NC), he responded oh maybe 10-15% of the new applicants.

Or if you want to ignore me and not have a conversation just simply run away as fast as you can from that guy.