You’ve got to follow the rules closely, and that means working with a qualified intermediary (QI) who’ll hold your funds in escrow while you shop around.

Financing-  build a relationship with a regional banker, don’t shop for interest rates, start small and build history and loyalty they are your team, Cross collateralize, deposit CD/MM or custodial account with bank for loan, give them monthly updates, nail your deal analysis, do stress tests on your deal analysis-cost/interest rate/deal length/ sale price etc. 12.  

More likely cash checking and pawn shops.- Given the demand, buying on through MLS will be tough.

So if you want to come visit and scout, that's great, but otherwise, don't go Zillow shopping. 

If you have the time to shop around, first look at your local consignment shops, nextdoor or facebook.

That's why, its best to shop for quality lenders. 

It amazes me how much random transient travel it gets(bowling tournaments, pawn shop remodels, manufacturing employees, traveling photographers, etc). 

We syndicated 75%, plus costs of the purchase price and financed the balance with a traditional loan.We shopped around for weeks to find the perfect loan with the best rates and terms.

You need to have sources (agents, wholesalers, GCs) that bring you opportunity that they have mined and they are bringing it to you cause they know you buy.To the vendors of the industry: Agents, Wholesalers, GCs, PMs, what have you...you are nothing until you buy something, until then you are window shopping. 

Quote from @Steve Tse: Hi BP, What insurance carriers can you recommend in Texas, as I am shopping around to replace my landlords policy that I currently have with Travelers ?