However, I've come to realize that Utah (the market I'm in) is a non-disclosure state so I can't find data on sales prices.

I suspect it isn't just that they are responsible people, they probably don't want the good credit score to be ruined by non-payment/late rent.

Profitable months cover non-profitable months, so budget and expect it.

For example, areas like Chicago have a strong demand for furnsihed rentals, especially in neighborhoods near medical centers.

Here in Colorado, we create a lot of non-conforming duplexes out of traditional single-family homes.

Conventional non-owner occupied loan. 20% down.What was the outcome?

@joel, FHA will finance non owner occ??

My best appreciating are over $10k/month of appreciation and similarly I suspect this beats virtually all other non-commercial (<5 units) residential RE in my market. 

It is very seasonal but does very well in Summer and there are a lot of STR friendly towns.I have considered it however my current goal focuses more on a multi season rental and I am also more familiar with the non beach towns.

Just the other day I saw someone had used black sheet rock screws in the hangers on a brand new deck (non-permitted obviously, and not a single lag or any flashing on the ledger board, and they painted it immediately before the pressure treated lumber had even dried out so that’s going to peal in the first year, at about the same time that those sheetrock screws start to rust lol).