There is a saying that one person trash is another's treasure.

I live in the Treasure Valley in Idaho, and started REI just last month.

Hey Matt, I live in Portage right now, have an office in GR, invest in Detroit, Battle Creek, Muskegon, Grand Rapids & Kzoo...I attend REI meetings in Portage & GR when I can, and I'm running my own meetups in GR...this Tuesday June 23rd there will be a (Kalamazoo Area Rental Housing Association West Michigan) KARHA meeting at Theo & Stacy's, Portage Road (just off 94) starting at 6pm...you can see the website at Karha.com, The topic this Tuesday is Land Bank and upcoming Tax Auction with the Kzoo County Treasurer...when you join the RPOA or Rental Property Owners Association, https://rpoaonline.org/, I believe that includes the membership with KARHA..like $90/yrit is about an hr away from you, but I think it's totally worth it if you can attend, every month there is something different to learn and more investors to meetup with. 

Listsource, MLS, Public Records, Treasurer's Department, Probate Court, etc.

I went to Amy's website, and even if you aren't investing in CO, she provides a treasure trove of really good information that applies to a lot of us looking for STRs in vacation spots.  

I am in FL as well up in Pinellas County but Treasure Island Beach and just north of me in places like Spring hill, New Port Richey, and Citrus County there are some great investment properties.There are a lot of Fixer uppers or Fix & Flips in Largo, Clearwater and in St.Pete.

These people are essentially the guardians of the real estate treasure trove.

I have a house under contract in Treasure Island that is zoned for STR but has always been used as an annual rental.

Goal setting is like drawing the route of a treasure map, from where you are today to where you want to be in the future.Before going on the treasure hunt, you'll need to look your current resources.

You are more than capable of using the money as a down payment.5.I live and invest in the Treasure Valley Area of Idaho.