The tried and true version is pulling a list of properties whether you're targeting distressed homes or high equity homes in which case you can pull on something like Propstream or Propwire, you can skip trace through them or someone like Prime Tracers which has a pay as you go system. 

there are so many threads on BP from folks in NYC or CA or DC who bought a property in a "low cost" market and immediately regretted it:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/963/topics/1195280-expe...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1160450-run-i...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/48/topics/1137397-balti...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/1010977-12-00...i provide this information not to discourage you, but so that you can learn from what they did without making the same mistakes.  

You'll need to have 10%  thru the sale account by 5pm the day of the win, and will have to pay the remainder within 15 days of the win.

So, you can do a land contract for 12 months, which should allow lender to credit you full value of the land vs the purchase price, but the loan will pay off the land contract, so the lender maintains first lien position.Can't help you with the rest of your question, but you should be able to search for "CPA" here on BP to find experts to reach out to.

@Jordan Moorhead I know of many single-asset syndications as well as funds that pay distributions but have negative operational cash flow.

   #9  SWEETEN the POT:    Do not think that paying extra rent is going to entice owners to rent to you. 

If you’re paying off less than $800/mo on your loan id say sell come April selling season.

Anthony, welcome aboard.. it’s always exciting to see new folks exploring the world of real estate investing!

I think having foreign pay stubs and the fact that I own property here with a mortgage made them decide it's too much of a headache.  

Some folks have already given good advice, and I want to add a quick tip for how to get data on potential STR properties.