I'm hoping this forum can help me understand what my alternatives are.

I am so excited to be more involved on the BiggerPockets site.

I know taxes and insurance have gone up a lot in that time so I understand that problem but the solid rent increases in that time have been able to cover most of that (at least for me it has worked out).

Be sure to work with an agent or broker who understands your local market, and consult with a professional who understands all applicable tenants-rights laws related to your transaction.

I understand the appeal of the E2 visa route, and there are indeed a few franchises that cater to that niche.

A good way to get an understanding of how to get into STR is :STRATEGY: Start Up Guide to Short Term Rental Investing 

Quote from @Jim Bryant: This is why it's important to understand how the legal system works before investing in an area.

I’ve been involved in lending for a while and know that financing can sometimes be a bottleneck.

I am a dog lover and completely understand where you are coming from.  

If the property was involved in a bk it was put into an estate for the entity who filed.