That can potentially be rentals, real estate syndications, private lending, or other alternative investments. 

I attend 3-5 meetups monthly and we have local meetup https://www.cirpp-live.com/ been arounds since 1974 and we meet twice a month (one network night at local spot food, drinks, socialize and one day 1130am-1pm guest speaker and food at I-Hotel on campus) that have found vendors, private lenders, etc.

It's tough to compete with a 3 bed SFR with private outdoor space with the same rent unless the community is highly amenetized/well kept.It's a great pocket of the metro to try to hold if you can.Hope this helps! 

They sit empty because the costs to update them to code make a project unfeasible for private money. 

Research financing options like conventional loans, FHA loans, owner financing, or private lenders.Good luck!

However, an option holder won’t be able to stop a private sale from occurring (unless they find out about it before hand and obtain an injunction); the option holder would most likely need to initiate legal action after the fact. 

 @Jackson Hanssen Private message sent. 

Megan, Not sure if I can help you exactly, but a few items that might help: 1) As you are out having conversations with potential private money lenders, you can start the conversation about "Did you know you can use IRA, or old employer 401k funds to make private money loans, secured by real estate?"

They might not be able to finance the entire purchase amount like other investors using hard money or private money, but they have been doing it long enough to build up a bankroll that can pay for down payments and repairs.Final ThoughtsThe 70% rule is more of a guideline, not a hard-and-fast rule.

Husband and I are purchasing a property as our private residence that also has a small cottage on it we plan to STR.