Even if figures make sense on paper today, there is just so much up in the air that I would rather wait to see how things shake out from the health side as well which is a big factor in how we get back into pre-2020 lifestyle.

AC is a must in this area and majority of rentals have central air.

Just register the google voice number with Air B&B and have it forward to whatever other number you want. 

I see some other "Fixers" on the MLS that several months ago would have been gone in a flash, but are sticking around longer now.Ogden has much lower buy ins, available multis and a good flow of renters from the College and Hill Air Force Base.

I recommend staying out of St Louis City County unless you're going to do condo air bnb type rentals. 

Notify the sellers and if the lease you are inheriting indeed says something to the effect of “2 installed working air conditioners” are the responsibility of the landlord then have them do that before closing. 

If your allergy causes your eyes to water and your entire contact with the unit is the 5 minute annual property check, it would be a reasonable accommodation to allow the animal.If your allergy causes your throat to close and stops your ability to breathe and your contact with the unit is picking up the rent in person every month, spending hours inside the unit doing all the maintenance, replacing the air filters every month, quarterly property checks, and the person takes their ESA dog in and out of the building using the only hallway and prevents you from entering other units, it may be reasonable to not allow the accommodation. 

With everything going on in the world right now, a story like yours is a welcome breath of fresh air through hardships.

Also, exit strategy is either Air BNB (property is on a lake), live here permanently as our primary residence after some rehab (residence is livable right now), BRRRR, or house-hack and sell in a few years. 

Including the air quotes because zoning hasn't given their final blessing that it's legally conforming.