Each tenant pays between $750-950 with utilities included to create a stress-free environment.

I would recommend that your client finds a partner who can bring a better score to the table because it will be near impossible to finance a STR with that low of a score in the current lending environment.

Putting down less money only marginally impacts paymentIn this rate environment, putting down $25,000 less will only increase one’s mortgage payment by $105 (assuming a 3% rate).Every $10,000 added to a loan amount at 3% only increases the total payment by $42.5. 

Amid a volatile rate environment like we find ourselves in now this short seasoning is crucial for fast paced BRRRs. 

would this be crazy in the current environment?

That was in a very low interest rate environment, and about zero threat of a recession and pre-Ukraine/Russia...There is a reason why this is called "investing" --- its not a job. 

In today's economic environment let's just say that two full-time people, including overhead, will run you no less than $250,000 per year.

Especially for us small fish.  

You’ll have a hard time finding a lender willing to do that in today’s environment.

We live in a rural town that attracts a lot of groups who fish and hunt.