We will be paying rent at our current place while the rehab is being done so we would be responsible for rent, mortgage and the rehab.I live in southern California is this help at all.Any advise would be great!

The Southern side near downtown and Mercer University can be a good area as well, but I would be very careful not to invest in certain pockets (just like anywhere else) of this area.

Southern NH peaked my interest though - this wasn't an area I was considering before. 

Quote from @John Busch: Truly appreciate the multiple responses and look forward to continuing our communication as we live in Southern CA and do not have many contacts in that part of the county. 

I just looked through some numbers for southern FL and they look bad. 

We are in Southern California, but would love to hear any platforms you use.

., with roots in Southern California.  

Two things to keep in mind when searching this area for STR properties; the first being FR/WC is peppered with HOAs that have unfavorable regulations for STRs and secondly cell service all but disappears in the southern half of the county.

I love to see that most of the cities you have chosen is in the Midwest/southern area!

Beware of Norada and their recommendations.I live in Southern California and bought an investment house in the midwest through their recommendations.