The strictness of the FHA appraisal can be hit or miss depending on the appraiser.

The way the leases are setup as a non triple net situation in a multi-tenant commercial building means that I field a ton of calls and things that I consider routine, but they fall to me. 

Using a property manager is a good idea, but is not a strict requirement.As a disqualified person, you cannot benefit from or provide benefit to the IRA. 

Hey Team,Currently my money set aside for Real Estate is sat aside in a separate checking account.Is there a better place for my money to sit that’s strictly for Real Estate?

Just be careful you check local municipality rules and regulations as some are quite strict against STR

Strictly a rental property - no, these are owner occupied loans and you have meet the eligiblity of living there before converting into a regular rental. 

Virginia Beach has pretty strict rules for STR, except the Sandbridge area.

is it required to put 20% down when it's strictly an investment?

If they posted my the same cheque (check) on the day the rent was due and it arrived several days later I'd consider the rent late.I'd expect bank transfers etc to arrive into my account the same day the rent was due.Again, thinking purely practically if I received notification each month the rent was paid on the due date and it arrived in my account the next working day I wouldn't be inclined to make an issue out of it. 3 days or more is a problem, less is a transactional delay I can live with, especially if it's routine and reliable.

If you are too strict with it expect a cdc form and you are stuck with them for the foreseeable future as I don’t think these moratoriums are going anywhere.