We are dealing with more and more Chinese investors looking to invest in Detroit, and we are also looking for expertise in this area. 

I've taught Revit (a Building Information Modeling / drafting / 3d drawing program), and to do anything intelligent in this (without a drafting background) is going to have a decent learning curve (and it's expensive).

Buying property with the intent to use it for the vacation rental business model is a totally different kind of investment. 

We can find people to draw floor plans and do 3d models based on the measurements and pictures that you take (people are overseas, so they are inexpensive.

Larger institutions may give you better terms, but can be a pain to work with.Once you develop that relationship with a local bank and they understand your business model, you can almost guarantee your financing.Just remember, EVERYTHING is negotiable.  

Utility law is outside my area of expertise, but I do understand what being in the business of doing something is, I do know that brokering utility serves is a regulated activity, providing utility services for a profit puts you in the shoes of a utility provider, regardless of the scale of your business may be.   

Keep reading BP there are several ways besides what Jon mentioned you can model a rental to make it bullet prove from scumbag tenants.

I finally came to the point where I decided to take the stress out of the equation.My business model, which has proven to be very successful at retaining long term tenants, is I don't charge late fees.

If you have dishwashers and they are older they use up to 4 x as much water as the current models.

IE I'm interested in your business model that has you wade into this topic?