They work a lot faster than traditional banks.

I would start calling around to see what different banks will offer.We had a good amount of money in savings so we did traditional financing.

A traditional corporation (c-corp) is probably not the way to go because of the double taxation, the company pays taxes on it's earnings and you pay taxes on that same money when you pay yourself.As @Larry T. said, focus on finding deals and getting them under contract, you can always get the entity set up after going under contract or purchase it in your name and then transfer to an LLC after close (might cost you some $ depending on the state laws)

I am now leaving the company and am going to roll my 401k into a tradition pre-tax IRA and then a self direct post tax Roth IRA. 

I know for traditional long-term rentals it’s highly recommend, do the same recommendations and liability concerns apply for STR as well?

A HELOC on is an option if you don’t like a traditional loan.

So this is going to seem non traditional but I thought I would share as I am always looking for creative ways to help my bottom line.

This is incredibly difficult to do.Most people who do this with “no money down” traditionally are getting some owner financing or creating value and then refinancing.

You are not in the position to judge whether or not Uber/Lyft will exist in 6 months because it is just as possible that a normal 9-5 employee can easily quit or get fired from their traditional W2 job.Things get a little Fair Housing wishy washy when you start developing a weight system for income. 

They were the vanguard into the new neighborhood, pushed into areas where they could make their own space because they weren't accepted into traditional neighborhoods.