I am a firm believer in time-in-market > timing-the-market, but that notion really only applies to long run strategies.

When applying for a mortgage will there be a difference if I let the mortgage lender know it’s for short term rental investment or is it better not to inform that ?

I'm less concerned with specifics by state at the moment also and more interested in hearing what others are doing that might directly or indirectly apply. 

I wouldn't typically recommend this strategy unless there is a significant investment coming from public/private groups in the area, but if the root cause of the neighborhood sliding back is the convenient store and you know that the owner is going to do something to significantly change space, it is probably worth pursuing some improvements in conjunction. 

Most of the insurance industry uses Marshall swift and apply there own variables to it to what they think the area is.  

I've been working on applying automation to real estate processes,  specifically buying properties at county auctions.

@Trevor West until u find specific information to the contrary, assume they will value it at the full value of the purchase price at the current tax rate..you can find the percentage by dividing the assessed value by the listed taxes then apply that rate to your purchase price

If you have to apply or re-zone, ask them about the procedure and what exactly is involved. 

Once that’s done I want to hire a licensed contractor to apply for a block wall permit on wherever the property line ends up being located.I am hoping that I can do this before anything gets constructed.

He still has to apply and met our requirements so lve not said he has place.