Their animal is still an animal and subject to typical animal rules.

My insurance asks if animals in the property have ever attacked a human or other animal.

Real estate investing seems like a whole new animal that we need some guidance on.

Development, short term rentals, and value add can be very lucrative but it’s a whole different animal.

I won't quote this since the Northeast is a very different animal than Texas.You best check to see what is required by the Building Dept. as far as documents and what seals, and then work from there.

A STR is a completely different animal in my opinion, in that it requires more work and much more compromise, but financially is worth the effort. 

@Alvin Sylvain I agree the emotional support animals are B.S. but they are legal and we have to abide by the law.If the animal is an ESA, you are allowed to ask if the person is disabled and what service the animal provides.

I would highly suggest finding a bookkeeper who specializes in REI as our industry is a different animal that a regular business and the bookkeeping is a bit specialized as well.

Consider the aesthetics, privacy and reduced contact with passers by if there are animals involved.  

Quote from @Michael Baum: Hey @David Rutledge, the purchase of a small hotel is a very different animal than SFHs for STRs.Like @Luke Carl said, you will have to have some significant skin in the game.