Ask your local code officers who some good contractors are the code officers will know which contractors do a good job and are professional, call your big building supply chains.

Industrial, office, retail,etc.Is the area urban, suburban, rural?

Tips? 

I have a few tips for someone like yourself starting;1.

I agree with many that getting your FICO up is a great tip, it can look insurmountable I'm sure. 

It would be great if it could turn into a business that I will be able to run and leave my current daytime office job (target is within 10 years).

I typically don't work from the office, but you may find it helpful to "shadow" an agent as well 

You'll need to either call to small banks for this type of a loan or work with a mortgage broker - specifically, a loan officer that works with multiple banks. 

Does anyone have a few tips or things they wish they would have known etc before they started an Airbnb!?

Ideal situation would be a 3/2 (or a 2/2 with a separate office since I work from home), small yard, decent neighborhood, washer and dryer in-house/unit in a neighborhood where you're hard-pressed to find bars on the windows and front door.