You can't trade Time with interest rate.

Obviously, lowering the fee and raising the rate is an option but that feels a little bit like spinning my wheels.At some point, if I'm dropping my rates far enough to compensate for a high cleaning fee, we get into the conversation of "is it even worth it to rent it at this rate and risk property damage, 4 star review, etc".

I almost want to just hire workers full time at an hourly rate and have in the contract they cannot take other jobs until mine is done.  

@CJ T.Yes, I think you may be confusing a business credit rating vs. having credit lines.For example, personally people talk/ask about their credit score. 

There are still some good opportunities if you are willing to buy an ugly duck and do cosmetic work to get it up to market rental rates. 

I think most likely we will get a home buyer because with the current rates it would be much harder to make profit. 

My wife and I purchased our first property two years ago in Salt Lake City for a good rate at 4.29%. 

Keep an eye on rates as if rates fall you can renogotiate the rate if interest rates fall enough. 

DSCR only requires that the rents be equal to or greater than the PITI payment or the ITI payment if you go I/O interest only.You can use DSCR for a cash out refinance, Purchase and even a "Rate and term" which is when you want a lower rate or get out of a HML - Hard Money Loan, Balloon payment, Adjustable rate getting ready to expire/adjust (Recast).

@Joseph MuleroTo boost your rent plan and make more money in the medium-length rent market, think about these steps: slowly add furniture to the new place while you stay in your current home, pick cheap furniture, use a credit card with good terms, look into loan options like personal loans or home equity credit lines, try out the market by listing the place with few furniture pieces, aim for easy-to-change furniture for flexibility, and talk to pros like real estate agents or home decorators.