Welcome to BP Chris, Out-of-state investing is a top choice.

Check out other online guides available here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides3.

It took a while but I eventually learned that this is not a get rich quick game and that the online folks trying to sell their books or services were doing just that. 

Are you set on these only being your choices? 

-where is the best place to find deals online?

Finding the true appreciation rate for specific towns can be a bit tricky, but you can start by looking at historical sales data, talking to local realtors, or even checking out some online tools that track market trends.If the condos you’re eyeing aren’t meeting the 2% rule, it might be worth reconsidering or at least getting a more detailed breakdown of potential long-term appreciation and other benefits, like tax advantages or rental demand growth in the area.

We will have a website that grows as our portfolio grows, and the advertising will be completely online via sites like VRBO. 

@Matt Devincenzo Matt is 100% right, they went online to some website to get a fake letter.

Do they have any google reviews or a presence online?

Its actually a hard choice to make, but once you do, it is the best choice.