If the location fits your lifestyle you will find someone to help you invest either local to where you move or not. 

Paul,The Insurance policy most likely to fit the project is a Renovation Builders Risk policy. 

I have worked with investors, quit my job as a fitness instructor last year and we will do a record multiple six figure number of revenue this year.

I would test drive several of them and see which ones fit best for you.  

I'm currently doing 3 month trial leases and if they feel it's a good fit, they can extend to a longer term lease or do a month to month and a higher rate.

I believe they are based out of Clearwater FloridaThey also mentioned they build list that fit my criteria exactly like Listsource and they claimed to be updated more frequently then Listsource.

If you have good credit and the asset fits a nice little box for the lender then you can get in the game.

It could then possibly be easier to follow that up with a rate/term refi if/when rates drop and get back into a conventional loan (if that would work for you or if that fits your situational goals). 

You can vet them and determine who is the best fit for you Regarding the loan question check for some properties that are willing to do seller financing.

I have been interested in getting into short term rentals and after reading about the tax benefits my interest is peaked.Are there any basic rules of thumb on how to go about further researching if this is a good fit for me?