You bet! 

I wouldn't waste that.So if I an find a good trustworthy mentor I bet we could both benefit from it.

In my opinion safest bet is Iron Bound, then much of the north ward minus a few blocks, and the rest are somewhat block by block and you really need to understand the micro neighborhoods and trends. 

Is my best bet just to get one written up by an attorney?

I'm betting you could stack historic credits, LIHTCs, possibly a TIF or other local financing, and either the FHA or a commercial note to get you in with little or no skin in the game.

LolJust betted on the usual and customary, LOL, I didn't read it, but just went by posts.

I am willing to bet if you pull the numbers in your markets you may find more in common with MN than not.

Traditionally those early repairs would be added to the cost basis and depreciated with the rest of the home. but if the repairs were relatively inexpensive and tended towards cosmetic, you're probably a safe bet to go ahead and deduct it.

I am betting you will get more bookings through VRBO than AirBNB.Like @John Underwood we get most of our booking through VRBO. 

Your best bet is to marry someone who will be full-time in real estate. ;) None of your three ideas allow you to defeat the temporary hold on your rental losses.