There are quite a few properties for sale in the region at various price points.Also my next suggestion would be to start to figure out the financing piece of the puzzle.

I know it can be hard when getting started to get all of the pieces of the puzzle to come together when you come across an opportunity.  

A contractor may be buying the stuff and the police may be able to round a few people up with enough pieces of the puzzle.

I'm sure there are a few people out their laughing because they've unlocked that puzzle and will keep silent.

it was a puzzle how to support the walls and slide the full sheets of plywood in.

STRs have two parts of the puzzle: being placed in service and qualifying as an STR.Placing a property in service indeed means being "ready and available" for rent and, technically, does not require actual occupancy. 

You can't gather info and put it together to make a puzzle because unlike a puzzle in a box, there are many, many pieces missing,...and you don't know what they are. 

I'm putting this puzzle together one post at a time, haha!

However it's only another piece of the puzzle.

@Patrick Keene i hope you have narrowed down your search and are continuing to put the pieces to your puzzle together my friend.