There are pot holes at every step form entitlement to permitting to the vertical and getting CO. 

I'm attending local meetups too when my work schedule permits, but I want to do even more. 

Another key change is making sure your contractor actually sticks to completion deadlines...why, because of how extremely tedious permit inspectors are getting in some cities, which can slow progress in and of itself.

Dealing with the City for permitting.

Great hosts will be good neighbors, will contribute to local tourism and will pay their taxes and permit fees* A major area to improve on the proposal is the 1 hour time-limit for resolving complaints.

It is quite rural and it is much easier to get a permit for these sorts of things if you even need one.

One key factor to confirm is whether the STR permit is transferable, as regulations can change.

Many of them now have very restrictive permitting requirements.However, I have a real soft spot to Edisto Beach.

Just make sure you have all the required permits, including alcohol.

It sounds like you have an un-permitted unit, which is essentially always a risk since there has been no notice to the AHJ that it exists and they can therefore initiate a code case to have it removed in most cases.