Based on all the facts and circumstances, you participated in the activity on a regular, continuous, and substantial basis during the year.

Then came investor financial data, I wanted at least a few years in there, I got a totally different-identical answer:"another one of our customers just imported his on his own with our API."

That, I am sure, has cut down on any dog tracking in stuff as they do get used regularly.

Do a regular lease.

You can buy a large upper/lower with two identical units in decent condition for about 350-450k.

I find investors are just as much work and sometimes more than a regular buyer and seller. 

More than likely, your Landlord goes down those roads on a regular.

I was going to run an STR in the home and he would enjoy a higher rent than from a regular LTR rental AND he would have the property managed too.All was going beautifully.

Inspect regularly.

We have clients that have used FHA regular and 203K loans in areas that they would not necessarily want to live forever, but it was a means to an end.