When you approach a deal as a relationship rather than just a transaction, the opportunities multiply.For instance, I was once approached by a seller who was the father of a girl I’d gone to high school with.

All the markets you mentioned are solid choices for affordability and long-term growth potential.If you’re looking to narrow it down, consider Indianapolis or Columbia, SC, as both have strong rental demand, landlord-friendly laws, and stable economies.

That means there’s always a demand for rentals, especially in the right neighborhoods.

How can I best protect the seller as well as myself?

I’m trying to make sure my business appears legitimate and trustworthy to local sellers, but I also want to avoid violating Google’s guidelines and risk having the account suspended.Would love to hear from anyone who’s faced this issue or has creative ideas for solving it!

IMO I think it's better than FHA, because you don't need to persuade seller to take FHA and no lifetime PMI. 

Dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs or Beyond Pricing can help boost your revenue by adjusting rates based on demand.

Unlike Vegas, where tourism can be hit-or-miss depending on conventions or events, Florida’s Panhandle delivers steady demand every season.

Another one was seller-financed for a few years before refinancing into a conventional loan around 2018, again no issues until this year.

It sounds like you've got some motivated and cooperative sellers.