What is the residency status of the non-US people?

I won't list them on Airbnb because of Airbnb's arbitrary and guest-forward refund policies.

If you listen to someone as a guest on a podcast for an hour, you will know what you need to know either way.

It's not good for marketing, bookings, guest communication, calendar tracking, etc. 

Subtract any expenses (for example, we provide welcome baskets for our guests and we pay for them rather than charging our owners).

I'm not an expert on the loan part of your question, but as far as the permit status goes, I do have ample experience.

I want to know if this type of business qualifies as a “real estate professional” status.

If you buy something too nice that is also light and compact then a guest may help themselves to it.

Best practice is to operate as an MTR and backfill with STR guests because if you open up your calendar to STR guests without tight restrictions, you're an STR.  

I've met Jim and Chris, both on informal basis's at the Haunted House which was a great fundraiser for Northwest Harvest and then as a guest at the suite for a Kraken Game (had my own tickets, just got a guest pass to the suite to hang out with my in laws).