And it's a waste of your time too, so don't begrudge them for this.One approach I've seen folks be successful with:Find that sweet spot where the property is juuuuuuuuust good enough to actually be financed. 

Call up every apartment complex and sweet talk them.  

The sweet spot between potential appreciation and cash flow income is in most of the suburban markets outside of Milwaukee for a BRRR between 150k and 175k.

I thought the automation offered by VRBO and Airbnb (SEO, Listing and photos management, price management, calendar management, inquiries and in case of dispute, some support) was exactly why we were paying them, but you are right if it brings you additional revenue, then it makes sense.And yes on top of what we said above about the vrbo vs airbnb sweet spots I do see the same thing as you when you say: " My perception is that people using VRBO are middle aged people that don't mind spending money on a nice place. 

Before this, I mailed the owner a letter, other investors tried to purchase this same property to no avail...But , when I contacted the owner, the same neighbor put in a good word for me....Yaaass, we closed that sweet deal in 2 weeks...This same neighbor referred a tenant..She calls me if anything out of the ordinary takes place at those 2 properties..1.  

Sweet!

Sounds like they are getting a pretty sweet deal at way below market rent.

Caveat: Interest Rate likely higher.I'm pleased that you think it's "scary", because that should ensure that you vet each deal well.Harder to find sweet no-brainer deals in a "hot" market.

I own one not far from yours on Anderson and my house was shot up  last year because my sweet tenant was interviewed in the news and made kind comments about the young teen boy who was shot and killed on the street.

Kind of a sweet spot; lending is still conventional and not a big load to manage the other three doors, seeing  you're going OO.