(the underwriter does not make the rules but rather follows the requirements sent out by Fannie/Freddie for conventional loans)   They will use this worksheet:  Rental income worksheet    If you look at line A7 it allows for the add back of "one time expenses", So, if you can argue that some of your write offs from your tax return are one time expenses you would be able to add those expenses to your net rental income.

To argue that you wouldn't look at this market due to the riots would be like saying you wouldn't take a 4 plex downtown Portland for great price.. no-one would pass that up (unless it were physically burning.) 

If you answer the why behind it, then they may want to argue or make an issue out of it.I don't have much to contribute in the way of answers on this as I tend to use FB marketplace to list my rentals which is all text based.

Not arguing the numbers on an area I know little about, just observing the reality of time margin on return. 

In Columbia Falls and Kalispell you have to allow the neighbors opportunity to argue against you using it as an airbnb. 

I highly recommend that you read The ABCs of Real Estate Investing by Ken McElroy.

You could argue it is risky to buy property anywhere under the logic that politicians could change the rules.

I'm not arguing.

@Connor Stark I won’t argue for or against the strategy as that’s already been debated.

I would argue that managing your rental in the future will be just as difficult.