They want to send me to the commercial loan department where the rates are awful, closing costs are high, and the requirements much more robust.What if I just get a second-home construction to permanent loan, wait 12-16 months for it to be built, spend another 90-120 days furnishing it, and then refinance into a traditional 30 year fixed as an investment property?

@Alyson Gordon we were originally looking at LTR for the decreased involvement and not needing to furnish a place (and some HOAs are LTR only), but I had not considered corporate housing before; from some brief research looks like this is likely a furnish-required.

I have not looked into it, but have you looked into furnished rental near Salton sea?  

I will remodel, furnish and test this model for approx. 6 mo.

Utilities, taxes (property, local vacation, & income), landscaping, furnishing / decorations / amenities, pest control, & supplies (soap, TP, etc) are the big ones on my STR calculator that you didn't mention.I'd also recommend using the enemy method to determine expected income.

Why not buy in one of the towns you will be staying, and then rent your furnished house out to other people (on a mid term basis) with similar traveling jobs like yours. 

Hi Jordan,I have had good luck on Furnished Finder and also have a Zillow listing. 

I understand they sign a long-term master lease with a landlord, furnish the place then rent it out for more money.

You will have to deal with guests, design and furnishings which is different from long term rentals. 

We can buy it furnished.