I don't know if that is included in the total rent numbers the owner supplied. 

It also let's you find out how involved the owners of the company are.8.

Hoping that someone could provide some guidance on this so I can decide how to proceed?

There are 9 x buyers for owner occupied houses than there are investor buyers. 

After some additional research we have decided to focus on the aforementioned markets, but I will keep you in mind if we decide to look at Columbus more closely in the future. 

Conventional owner-occupied mortgage rates are above 7% today (source: Mortgage News Daily - Mortgage And Real Estate News).

I would also add that you join your local REIA chapter (Real Estate Investor Association) as it will allow you to network with other STR owners and get more location-specific information. 

Yes, long-term rental clients sometimes don't want short-term rental next door to them, but you are the owner and landlord and set those expectations up front so it's on the table before they lease.

I believe it is over priced (originally for sale by owner for $280k,later listed through agent at $360k), but I feel like the seller may be open to a creative financing option. 

Current owner says there weren't impacted the last time it shutdown.