He would need to be willing to furnish the property himself and find a co-host.

Right now I'm set up on multiple consumer sites like Airbnb, VRBO, Hello Landing, Furnished Finder.

CodeNotesprev | next(a)In generalSubject to subsection (c), any consumer reporting agency may furnish a consumer report under the following circumstances and no other:(1)In response to the order of a court having jurisdiction to issue such an order, or a subpoena issued in connection with proceedings before a Federal grand jury.(2)In accordance with the written instructions of the consumer to whom it relates.(3)To a person which it has reason to believe—(A)intends to use the information in connection with a credit transaction involving the consumer on whom the information is to be furnished and involving the extension of credit to, or review or collection of an account of, the consumer; or(B)intends to use the information for employment purposes; or(C)intends to use the information in connection with the underwriting of insurance involving the consumer; or(D)intends to use the information in connection with a determination of the consumer’s eligibility for a license or other benefit granted by a governmental instrumentality required by law to consider an applicant’s financial responsibility or status; or(E)intends to use the information, as a potential investor or servicer, or current insurer, in connection with a valuation of, or an assessment of the credit or prepayment risks associated with, an existing credit obligation; or(F)otherwise has a legitimate business need for the information—(i)in connection with a business transaction that is initiated by the consumer; or(ii)to review an account to determine whether the consumer continues to meet the terms of the account.

Before I was ready to own, I rented furnished rooms from other people for $400-600/mo instead of one bedroom apartments for double.

Start by putting your selves in the guest's shoes, when furnishing and stocking your home!

They could use that capital to furnish it as a STR and probably have enough put a down payment on a new home, depending on how much the new home is and how much equity they have in the existing home. 

From a short-term rental perspective you're looking at one-time fees like furnishing & tech and then monthly expenses such as: mortgage, insurance, utilities, property tax, HOA if applicable, cable/internet, OTA fees, maintenance/capex, software subscriptions, supplies, cleaning fees. 

I’m not afraid to spend the money to work with a pro, and thoroughly understand you get what you pay for, but I’m literally running out of money after furnishing a whole house, setting up my entity, doing a cost seg, hiring a CPA firm for tax strategy purposes, and servicing the debt on my STR.

I don't think the supply for downtown, fully furnished, in a great location mid term rentals is there so I'm definitely leaning more towards that option, but I'm open to feedback.

You can rent the property furnished to traveling professionals, relocating families, and others for 30+ days at least in the meantime while you are figuring out things with the city.