If you want to factor in utilities and furniture for the house, it's about 9-15 months before everything is paid for with the profits generated by each individual STR. 

I mean you would have to deal with the Marshal and then you need to do something with tenants furniture if marshal kicks them out.

Airbnb is more management and you would need to furnish, but rental furniture is a possibility.

They are trying to focus more on small businesses (examples: cupcake business, brewery, barbershop, furniture building, etc).

Add furniture and appliances and it takes 12 months or less to get everything in the house and the house paid for. 

The property has been unused for 2 years, still has furniture and will require some updating/cosmetic work to be rent ready but it seems like a great option to avoid the lender process on my side. 

-- cats don't make noise, go to the bathroom in the litter box,  and other than destroying the tenants furniture, not much else, as long as the tenant keeps the box cleaned. 

Obviously spent more than $10k  if you include furniture and new appliances but thats all stuff we will take with us to our next house.  

From what I have read, he must have introduced them with his furniture or clothes.

If you include furniture, washer/dryer, and/or utilities in your rent payment, it is easier for the students and they (or their parents) are more than willing to pay the premium.