I'd also start the marketing process 30-45 days before current tenants move out in most cases - it just seems easier to re-let a place that is currenlty occupied than one that's been sitting empty for a while for some reason. 

These are the key to getting a loan.  

There are so many moving parts involved in vacation rentals....more people, in and out of your property every week or few days...people on vacation like to party more, so drinking and running around doing dumb stuff.

I am trying to hire a licensed REA for my LLC to perform occasional open houses and move-in/move-out inspections since I am out-of state from my rental property.I have the REA identified, now I just need to know the steps to creating a contract for them and me to sign.

I’m not saying this is the right or wrong move for you.

Move tenants in immediately and same tenants are still there.

When my youngest went to school, I changed my license status to Active, and have learned and enjoyed helping people buy/sell/invest for around 7 years now.Everyone's journey is different....you might one day no longer be a firefighter...you might move to another state....you might want to buy a house one day and having a real estate license could save you some money. 

She is moving to Texas and I am the property manager because I live in the area.

So same thing as an agent pick a technique and stick to it.Myself personally when I started as an agent I did not do follow up like I should have but what i did do was become a CLOSESR  If i got in front of them my success rate was very high so thats where I put my energy and my moto was next..If I could not close them first meeting I moved on the next. 

If you bring it to their attention, they might move it to auction faster.Go direct to the owner – If they’ve been sitting on unpaid taxes for years but haven’t been foreclosed on yet, they’re probably in some kind of financial distress.