We do exactly what @Bonnie Low is recommending and it works for us.

For those recommending agents, in our experience, +95% of agent only know how to deal with owner-occupied transactions.

This will drive how much you can borrow.Consider More Modest Options FirstWith $200k in investments to deploy, look at starting with 1-2 short-term rental properties first to gain experience before scaling up.Explore markets closer to your mom's current location that may have lower costs but still tourism appeal.This allows you to validate the model and your ability to operate short-term rentals successfully before risking more capital.The short-term rental concept could potentially work, but I would recommend starting with a smaller, very well-researched first step to validate the model before going all-in on a larger endeavor.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Bigger Pockets subscription is recommended, It has a lot of learning material.

If anyone has any experience or can give me a recommendation on what to do now I'd greatly appreciate it.

Quote from @Kevin SobiloAlso, and sorry for all the questions- for our situation would you recommend consulting with a financial advisor or an accountant?

They were pretty much recommended and handpicked by a contractor I had hired for reno.

Therefore, it's not up "to code" and it is recommended installing the panel elsewhere. 

What I recommend is that you check on the legal decisions and go by them.