Short-term rental would need to cover additional items such as utilities, yard and snow, netflix/hulu, etc.

Well, of the three parties involved in this story....you (the CURRENT owner), YOUR tenants, and the FORMER owner, I can tell you who I think has the LEAST legal/ethical responsibility to pay this utility bill.

Last time I looked into utilizing the program it didnt make sense from a numbers POV. 

Here is a little rundownRental 1 2-1 bathPurchase price: 72,000.00 approximate value now 155,000.00Down Payment: 14,000.00 (20%)Interest Rate: 4.25% 30y/ fixedCurrent balance: 52,500.00Current Tax: 2,300.00/yearInsurance: 511.00/yearFlood Insurance 750.00/yearUtilities: 40.00/month all other utilities paid by renterCurrent Mortgage w/escrow: 542.00/month 6,504.00/yearRental Income: 1,200.00/month 14,400.00/yearProfit 814.00/month 9,768.00/yearNotes: This house requires Flood insurance.

It doesn't make sense to me that we all live in isolated dwellings and pay an arm and leg for separate utilities, not enough room to grow and share crops and rooms we mostly use to hibernate in.

Other than snow and lawn care, any other landlord expenses, like utilities?

I'd add info on garbage pick up and recycling, if you have a community mailbox, where it is and how to get a key and any info they might need for utilities.

If/when you choose to utilize the VA loan, that significantly changes ROI versus a normal buyer putting 5-20% as a down payment. 

This would allow you to tap into the equity to be able to utilize it, while still maintaining ownership and living in your new home.

I utilize seller finance, DSCR, and subto transactions to avoid going the traditional financing route.