( ie. full month, 1/2 month ) Maybe you are using Obligo or another service/product that allows the tenant to pay a low nonrefundable monthly fee to insure their unit against damages.

Once we had a few 5 star reviews, things took off for year 2.

@Irfan Raza we need more rock stars in the world to guide people. 

Also don't price things aginst what they cost to rent, rental stores often times change upto 80% of the product cost to rent. 

I heard the product is excellent in water proofing. 3.

what do you normally do when it gets hard finding deals in your preferred market, do you start looking into new markets, out of state markets, do you just give up and go watch dancing with the stars?

Yes, that is what i was thinking. i used quicken because they say they are friendly to AIRBNB income. i am in the process of working with another broker to shop the product around. 

I figured I'd try to put a new one out to see if there are any new faces lurking on this forum.As for your second point, I personally have found it way more productive to vet a good property manager before worrying about agents.

Its 5% down on 2-4 units on a fixed rate loan.https://sf.freddiemac.com/working-with-us/origination-underwriting/mortgage-products/home-possibleGo toward the bottom of the page and click on Home Possible Factsheet.

With only $10k of investment, I'd counsel you to go with the FHA 203k route because the loan product only requires 3.5% down payment and you can finance 100% of the renovation budget.