Never buy a property that sits next to a school, a busy street, a retail plaza, a church, a high rise apartment complex, etc.There are a lot of things within your control when you buy a deal.

To me your post sounded like 50% sales pitch and 50% damage control.

Fannie/Freddie issued note guidance that clarified that you *can* STR your vacation home as long as you use it a certain amount of time yourself and self-manage (not give primary control to a property management company, which doesn't mean you can't use a PM at all only that they can't have control over renting out the property). 

I would say now because you can not control the weather and it is a short notice cancellation.I would offer a discount on a future stay to try and keep from getting a bad review.

In addition to filing the LLC with the Secretary of State, you will need to create an Operating Agreement to control how the entity functions.

We have a lot of experience in rehabbing and remodeling so that gives me confidence we can be competitive on pricing and still control our costs.

The agent who helped me in the past was trying to get me interested in a triplex that was rented to tenants protected by rent control (one was previously non-paying due to COVID).

And also the lock on the front door is under your control.

Looking for recommendations on locking systems for STR's which also control thermostat/Door sensors and Pool heater ?

Most leases require landlord approval on selling, subleasing, etc. so yes your in control here.