I could potentially advertise early but I wouldn't have pictures until the house is in order. 

If you use a solid leasing agent then they will advertise, show, screen and place your tenant.

For the first showing, it's the advertised time period as, otherwise, you'd need to open up the earlier showing time to all or it would be unfair to those who are following the rules. 

Once we start the Rehab the PM will start advertising for tenants. 

There are also companies online that advertise being your registered agent (no recommendations on this).

**Hypothetical scenario begins**The property is listed for rent on multiple platforms, and our advertisements list all of our minimum qualifying standards:Credit score: 600Monthly income: 3x the monthly rentFelonies: NonePrevious landlords: Two good referencesProperty will rent for $1,000Fortune decides to smile upon me, and within a week I receive two potential tennants who would like to apply to rent the property after having scheduled individual showings of the house.

The letter states that on 8-31 the community development department was notified that a short term rental was advertised on airbnb at my address. 

In terms of advertising, is there a local university nearby?

If you advertise for a maintenance person, you might be able to find people willing to work for a low or fixed rate. 

Setting up a direct mail campaign sounds daunting, but it is not too difficult in reality.