You'll pay less for the property up front, may get a higher cap rate, and you'll pay a premium for someone else to effectively manage it.

My market is seasonal and I’m curious to see if it will have an effect on the profitability of that unit vs the others during the winter months.

What tax or downstream effects should the buyer be aware of?

Again, this is a long term play but cash flow does make me happy. 6 - I would read about State Bill 173 that is coming into effect in a couple days.

Would this effect my ability to purchase the home as a residence?

When people lose confidence in the economy or loose their jobs, it has an immediate effect on home sales.

I was surprised how effectively cleaning of the walls and ceilings actually did to the smell.

That said, with the added bonus of fruit trees & garden space you may find a like-minded longer term renter. 

I've seen habitual dumpster abusers drive up to our dumpsters, see the newly hung sign, and drive away without dumping....More so than catching the thief, we would rather they not try to steal from us.... of course our methods and no methods are perfect.... but they seem to have been fairly effective....  

Landlords getting paid is just a secondary effect.