A friend drove by and said they didn't seem to have any damage but he didn't look into the details.

However, markets like Tennessee or the Carolinas might be better for AirBnB or short-term rentals, especially if they are tourist-friendly.

I have friends who can't even drink grape juice or they risk falling off the wagon, and they avoid places serving alcohol as much as possible.

Check if they’re investor-friendly and familiar with STRs or rental properties.

It's procuring cause, you wasted the agent's time and maybe some other agents time in the past when they could have been with family, friends, or probably selling a different house to someone who can afford it.

Another common route is borrowing from private lenders—whether friends, family, or other investors in exchange for a return on their investment, though you should always ensure everything is clearly agreed upon in writing.If you're hesitant to use your savings, a HELOC or hard money loan might be your best bet for accessing the capital you need without dipping into your reserves.

Additionally, I have access to cabinets, doors, and other materials through trades with a friend and uncle who own 100+ doors between them, but still budgeted funds for replacements if they can't offer some. 

I have two friends that have had success wholesaling and flipping.  

During this, we've made some friends with folks who, rather than allow us to rent their unit, would prefer that we manage their property for a fee.

I always tell my friends I need to be in the short term lending bizz so I can afford to be a builder you know how captial intense it is getting these projects off the ground..