My gut feeling is that something like this could be great to have in an attraction-dense area for a luxury STR, but it's usefulness would be diminished going outside of that specific use case.

Locations are not important as long as they on board remotely/online and have a strong "online friendly" presence that can satisfy most general banking needs (attractive ach fees, online check deposit, ect). 

Professional stagers pay attention to things like smell and choose scents that people are attracted to that say ‘home.’

While I own and live in New England and the housing market is very attractive, I don't think I'm comfortable with the amount of capital I need upfront for my first property.

Duct burst pressures are rated 3x high yet than design pressures, and closing a register or two will not increase the pressure to the point of failure. 

Is mezannine debt a common way of funding all of the development costs (Entitlement,Design, Permitting, etc.) before raising capital for the construction?

Are families attracted to rent in this area? 

They just seem like a shining light to attract mischief to me.   

Make your own landscaping choices, contract, and design.

For that kind of interior Devore Design will likely be your best bet.