Also I lived in Oregon my entire life and it's gone downhill big time, way to many "keep Portland weird" people and the bum scene is ridiculous, not to mention the traffic. 

I'm new to the STR scene with a recent purchase in Colorado.

And because I usually have a mob scene at my open houses, most would feel their chances are not great due to the number of applicants.My dad, being an absentee landlord, was too accommodating, got into trouble with the neighbors and the city housing department.

What techniques do you suggest to start breaking into this scene and start finding properties?

@Steve Vaughan  although to be fair and balanced on the guru scene..

It cost me my day as I coordinated efforts to get an electrician and then a plumber on scene on a Saturday afternoon!

It's a foot in the door plus you'll get the behind the scenes exposure of how those operations are ran and managed...

It is hard to know what goes on behind the scenes at title companies, even if the most reputable in your region and you have some assurance of its reputation.

Framed local art scenes and some eclectic furniture, large pots or whatever to be the opposite of a holiday inn express (my hubands fav), an outdoor bistro set (for smokers) and maybe a bbq grill.

Looking at the County records, it looks as though the Mortgage is paid and he owns it free and clear but I dont know about any other mortgages he may have taken out.I can make a down payment of $20,000 but I'd like to see what everyone thinks before I approach him.One other thing of note is that 20 years ago this house was the scene of a pretty grizzly murder and arson!