It seems strange that after 5 years they went dark without any notice or communication.

Since my tenants are usually homeowners it doesn't make sense for me, but even for the couple travel nurses I've had, the background/credit check was sufficient and seeing how they communicate with me prior to booking.

Over the last 6-7 months, I’ve been doing my best to “get smart” on real estate investing, starting off with Rich Dad principles, which led to Rich Dad Advisor (McElroy, Sutton, etc.) audiobooks, which led to BP podcasts and doing YT research on tax benefits…I’m feel ready to take action and start putting everything into practice but still not certain which method is best for my first investment property.

Many of the STR investors jumped in because they saw some YouTube videos about how to get rich quick with STR, they had COVID money to burn, so they jumped in.

It's how you are approaching the communication.

What specific steps do they take and what do they communicate to the owner?

Quote from @Rich Davis: I’m a TenantCloud guy.  

We have sent you a few emails with property options in November of 2019 with no reply and I don’t see any other communication other than that between myself or anyone else on my team.

It is almost the same mentality of the renters, they think that all landlords are rich lolYou are building equity when doing this. 

I am not one of those.I do personal communications with all the guests and they have my cell so they can call or text.