This may or may not change in the near future depending on the carriers appetite in that area. 

I think it depends on your appetite for risk.

They have skin in the game for damages and excessive messes.

This is the ultimate question that you have to decide for yourself based on goals and risk appetite! 

Banks might not pay interest on escrow accounts, if they do, and the tenant is entitled to interest, then you may be able to charge the maintenance fees of the account to the interest earned and allow any excess to be credited to the tenant.

These deals can get funded however not all lenders have an appetite for them.

Hiring a property manager eats into a lot, if not most of the profits in excess of what you could make with a standard long term rental.

I use 620, but your risk appetite may vary.Perform full background checks including payment history, civil, and legal issues.Take a serious look at problems revealed in the background check. 

all depends on your appetite. we bought our first STR in Panama City and i live in Atlanta. hasnt been an issue so far remotely managing

 maybe you can find someone local with excess furniture to deploy (like a staging company).