I just used the knowledge to create my own, though it, of course, closely resembles what he puts together in the course. 

Misc (repairs, furnishings, etc) - $200/Mo?

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?  

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.

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

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.