And not being able to issue the deposit refund via Avail was the final straw for me.

of course the sale of hurricane damaged houses also confuses the issue (my house had no such damage but is only about 4 blocks from houses that did). 

Quote from @Jeff Roth: Hi Lina from Texas-Congratulations on your interest in investing in mid-term rentals and you are wondering how and where to get started.I get this question frequently from investors.Sometimes and investor is looking to keep their property cashflow positive as insurance and taxes have squeezed cashflow by turning units into mid-term or short-term rentals.First off, ideally, the property will cashflow as a long-term rental should something disrupt the mid-term rental model.You will also want to have the property be near where there would be a demand for mid-term rentals (hospitals, universities, research centers).Monthly rents for mid-term rentals are about 20% (+/-) higher than unfurnished similar long-term rentals.There are property managers that will manage mid-term rentals for you and I always advise my clients to use property managers to keep their investment as passive as possible and for compliance issues related to Fair Housing Laws and local regulations.To Your Success! 

It’s ideal to have them view the property after the inspection, so they can consider any issues discovered during the inspection in their bid.

Not having them can create issues when selling later.Over-improving for the Neighborhood – Be mindful of your area’s home values so you don’t invest more than you can recoup.Ignoring Structural & Mechanical Issues – While cosmetic updates are fun, addressing foundation, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems first will save headaches down the road.For the best return on investment, focus on:Kitchen & Bathrooms – These are the biggest value-adds for a home.

This is less of an issue here that what you all are describing.  

@Kiryl Ulanovich,You're on the right track:Get Pre-Approval from Hard Money Lender – Know your terms and limits upfront.Find a Deal Through a Wholesaler – Verify numbers and ensure it meets your criteria.Review the Assignment of Contract – Confirm terms, earnest money, and contingencies.Conduct Due Diligence – This includes an inspection (if allowed), verifying ARV, and rehab estimates.Submit to Hard Money Lender for Final Approval – Lender will review title, contract, and property condition.Title Search & Clear Any Issues – Ensure a clean title before closing.Close Through Title Company – Finalize funding and take ownership.Consider also lining up contractors early for a smooth transition into renovations.

Finding borrowers won't be an issue, so I wouldn't worry about that piece, just making sure you have an agreement you are comfortable with and borrowers and properties you are comfortable with.

You've got ADA, FHA, and the Oregon Department of Agriculture issues. 

There are a lot of site-specific issues you need to investigate before deciding what the land is worth to you.