What is frustrating is that hard money lenders are becoming just like banks with their processes as well. 

It is entirely possible to not need any money out of pocket to refinance a property. 

Run an ozone machine between tenants and then let it clear out for a day before showings.

Although I haven't yet used my website to market listings, my consultant has mentioned ways to generate traffic to your site using specific keywords and running ads to listings on your site.If I get any feedback, I will share it here or PM you!

You are literally running a hospitality business, if that is something you are interested in then great otherwise boring LTR over time make the most sense. 

The majority of them are trying to leverage debt and use as less as possible of their own money.

For the money you will pay to invest on the 1600 block of N 27th street, you are better off buying in Germantown/East Mount Airy where the fundamentals are better or spending more to be in a better neighborhood.

You may also be running into the FHA self sufficiency rule if it is a 3 or 4 unit property.

Does anyone have any experience buying short term rentals in that area?

Just to really drive the point home on how easy most of these owners are to find if you're using a true quality skip trace service, feel free to message me and I'll personally run a couple for you and send you full reports on the owners and possibly the owners' relatives if I see anything that makes me think you should be contacting relatives.