I’d recommend going with a local lender that you have a good relationship with as opposed to a large national company as they are likely to have better immediate customer service and are more likely to respond in a timely manner, which is important for your first loan.

I also like to "borrow" ideas and look at what amenities are most popular in that area so that I can include those amenities at my property.   

To comply, we asked the husband to complete the rental application and submit the required documents, including ID, SSN, and bank statements.

As Chris mentioned, it's important to read the contract which should outline all fees the management company can charge for their services.

@Stuart UdisHit the nail on the head and I would agree and have said same thingOne thing I will add is you mention contract management / this should include an attorney reviewing the contract and the investor understanding what indemnification is.

$800 is probably pretty good in general - depending on your level of coverage which is the most important piece as rental dwelling policies can vary GREATLY

I would love to find a software to help automate the following tasks, there are lots of options, most at $40/month, would prefer cheaper but will probably pay this for the best software that can best handle:- creating a direct booking website from my Airbnb listing, I know some websites have an auto-builder which would be preferred- handling automated messaging- handling calendar and payments, including add-ons- sending agreements and collecting and returning depositsI am overwhelmed with the options and suffering analysis paralysis. 

If they are insuring the property in its current state, it's likely that a new buyer will also be able to obtain insurance without trouble.As for the mortgage aspect, the key factor will be ensuring that the house, including the patio "room" and its roof, meets all local building codes and standards.

How important is the kitchen either in your own house or your rentals?  

There are far more important items you should be prioritizing but first so I am clear on the strategy, it sounds like the business plan is to go under contract, renovate the building and then purchase the building once renovated and stabilized?