If you're into long term buy and hold to target appreciation, Columbus is another market you can check out. 

I bought it at a good enough price I knew I could simply turn around and put it back on the market and make a little profit How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

When the tenants moved out, he discovered they had utterly trashed the place and the cost to bring it back to market standard (and thereby get a more desirable tenant) was beyond him. 

The company offers what they call "attainably priced" apartments, arguing that their rents are lower than market rate.

We've come to realize that the Boston market is too tough and the numbers don't make sense (to even house hack), so just recently, we decided to hone in on Plymouth, MA... with the idea that it could be a good tertiary market to do furnished rentals (thinking short-term/AirBnB in the summer, and mid-term in the offseasons).

If you were and lose the value of the rental, then subtract the rental amount from the total price to arrive at the reduced value to you.Are you asking HOW to negotiate a lower price based on this uncovered information concerning the property condition?  

For an STR, the lender, assuming they are STR friendly, would likely use AirDNA projections, historicals from the seller (if they exist), or an STR 1007 market rent schedule to qualify the rents.

The home prices are also much more affordable, and from what I am learning, the Salt Lake City market is getting very hot, especially considering the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in 2034. 

Especially in today's competitive market, being creative has never been so important! 

I will never buy a property I wouldnt live in with my family , condition and location .