In Florida, coastal areas tend to offer the best opportunities for STRs, especially given the saturation in the theme park areas of Central Florida but I'll let the full time operators chime in.

They tend to take the bigger builds that will make them more money.

@Adaze Foltz  Benefits:Direct to the source; more control over the receipt of the funds (initial and any rehab draws); able to not just establish a relationship, but also perhaps gain referrals of other private lending sources (those that are happy with the returns and payoffs - talk (boast) to their friends); faster to the table; can negotiate the terms (rate, when payments are made, other fees and when they are paid, etc.); usually nothing reported to credit bureaus.Risks:Using up the private sources money (tapping them out); The private lender didn't receive their payoffs on other loans as anticipated so they are short of funding your deal(s). 

During difficult economic times, fewer people tend to take vacations.

Find or get referrals for a few contractors and get bids from them to get a better idea.

These lenders also tend to understand the position you are in as a borrower and will work with you when issues arise and trust me, if you are involved with enough rehab/ construction projects issues will arise. 

The only thing I can think of that may be harder to deal with if I am not local is routine maintenance issues, but I was thinking I can just ask around for some handy man referrals to have at the ready in case those smaller issues arise, while I would instruct our future tenants to contact our service provider for any emergency issues. 

Generate lots of referrals for me.

Sales commissions tend to be 4-5% of the sale price, split between the buyers' and sellers' agents.

I am way to old school to try any of this  LOL.. of course I get 100% of my business by referral so I have no need to market anything and being old school I pick up the phone and talk to my investors in person ..