I personally prefer the Fayetteville market, but there is a case for both. 

My direction is after I get the process and footing under me, to work for myself and never have a boss again (besides the customer / tenant / investor or purchaser) eventually want to work with a great team and more so with friends and family to build each other.

I use minimum night stays but these are much more difficult to keep up with than on Homeaway/ VRBO.I wonder if increasing the cleaning fee and lowering a nights stay would put off some potential customers than just think they are being price gouged on the cleaning fee?

Must be a single story house, prefer less than 1500 sq ft. 

Other than that, which bank  to use depends on what features the banks offer and your personal preference.

Lowes has some plastic surrounds that look like subway tile, pretty cute, but you could also clean the tub surround and paint the grout lines with a very light gray “grout renew” paint and sealer by custom at home depot.

Is there a way that you prefer (in which to approach to investors that you don't know to offer deals)?

I'm in process of looking properties in Indianapolis but properties I'm finding are very old & that is making me nervous - being out of state investor, I prefer to pick a property that might have lesser maintenance issues.So as you mentioned, I'm still analyzing and any suggestion from friends like you all are highly valuable - thanks!

The bank's preference on whether or not the buyer & seller use the information on the appraisal during their negotiations is irrelevant.

I haven't included any utilities in my rents i.e. the tenants have always I prefer separately metered properties.