Hi @Shan Randall,Welcome to BP and congrats on stepping back into the landlord game!

This also may be a good way to get an in working for someone with more experience since being a new wholesaler who doesn't even know where to start makes it very hard to start.Also, don't start telling people you are a wholesaler before you have marketing going out, a small buyer's list, and at least one property locked up because everyone wants to be a wholesaler, but it's not actionable until you are in the game.

Im open to conventional financing or seller financing.To find properties, you can network with local agents and brokers, join local real estate investment groups, use online platforms like Zillow, Realtor.com, and Redfin, send direct mail campaigns, drive for dollars, network with property managers, and explore seller financing.Good luck!

I currently house hack in Chicago, however, going from that to STRs where I cannot self manage is a different ball game and just wanting to pick peoples brains who are doing what I'm interested in doing.  

When talking to property managers, ask questions regarding any guarantees they offer owners and refer to any online reviews to get a better idea of how tenants and other owners feel about working with the company.

Every investor has a different game plan.  

Luckily I was in a buyer's market at the time, but about 75% of agents did not even respond to me and I could not set up appointments online because I was not a MLS member.   

All you managers, owners, etc need to think of the end game.

I'm sure this was not comfortable or fun to spend this money for the fixes but the fact that you were able to find a way to do so and stay in the game is really a feat so kudos there!

Alternatively, there are high-yield online savings accounts like Marcus or others - the difference is that banks have some inherent risk, thus the FDIC insurance.