I did also just spent 12k last year on a new boiler and new chimney liner so that's why it's dawning on me that the rent needs to go up.It sounds like you are thinking about it correctly.Landlords that charge market rate attract higher-quality renters.

Different platforms that share the listings off airbnb or vrbo like expedia have their own fees plus they show different prices to attract people to book.

I am looking at a few properties at the moment to be used as short term rentals (AirBnb/VRBO).

I hope they split out a developer forum as well from new construction or commercial new construction and residential but it's still attracting new people I think.

I'm located in Germany at the moment but my husband and I are moving to his home country shortly, The Netherlands!

Some cities have no problem putting landlords in a bad spot should a tenannt not pay the process of eviction in your area I don't believe is short.

Don’t see a plus side to that.it’s hard to see a short term solution, sorry.

I am less worried about the short comings noted by the OP and more concerned about:- Whether OP is intending to commit mortgage fraud- If he does reside in one unit for a year (as required for VA loan), the rent is 50% of that represented in the underwriting. 

I've taught hundreds of folks how to do what they're doing with short term rental, and a small percentage of them get the idea to manage other peoples properties.

If it was me, I wouldn't touch it given the area and the type of tenant it is likely to attract.