That's probably your best route in terms of taking title. 

If summer is the primary season for St Augustine, then you're potentially going into the offseason with no reviews or help to make your property stand out on Airbnb or VRBO in terms of search position.

In terms of this situation overall, I would try to focus on getting them out and perhaps following proper steps to keep the security deposit. 

To clarify, using hard money is no different than a conventional loan in terms of "using my own money". 

My leverage point (in terms of total loan to value) is probably a lower percentage than many on here.

Before I begin I would like say, this BiggerPockets community has always been one of the best tools I’ve ever used in terms of getting advice from likeminded individuals not only in my small community, but nationwide.

Another thought in my mind was timing with respect to college school years, as many students (as i was once this person) procrastinate in terms of finding a suitable place to live.

Otherwise, getting solid leads of people can be difficult and costly (both in terms of money and time).Does this help? 

In terms of finding a lender, you should have no difficulties there.

In general lawyers think about the world in terms of risk and how to design it out and not about how to craft something that will sell net of carving out the main risks.