This new "local agent" requirement has given me pause as my property manager has informed me that they will not be signing off on this.

So my best advice would be to not make a clear cut decision yet, but keep your eyes open for an opportunity that gets you there.

Ourcurrent approach involves identifying possible contact information for thelisted owners and calling multiple numbers, but this process is time-consumingand yields limited results.

The operation of an STR has almost nothing to do with real estate and 100% to do with hospitality, that is where you can distinguish yourself from other operators, provided you made a good decision in your initial purchase. 

Many of your main TV companies won't pay a claim on a property vacant for more than 30 days.8) Renters Insurance: how are you going to get S8 tenant, who qualified for the program via a string of bad financial decisions, to pay for it?

I have a similar perspective, as I am right on your heels with the same decision, so I'm naturally inspired. 

However, even up until the day before closing I was  never informed whether the title was Actually marketable or how and IF the liens would be paid off from the proceeds of the sale.        

Kudos to you and Debra for making it happen—this is a great example of how collaboration and decisive action lead to success!

Welcome to the community and be ready for a huge amount of information at your finger tips.

The information contained in this post is not to be relied upon.