This is my first property not in my state and first one I attempted to refinance into a STR/LTR. 

That's why I am bummed that the transition was so quick and didn't attempt to maintain some consistency of personality (like when Josh left and Brandon continued with David, and then Brandon left and David stayed).

I especially appreciated their reports, which detail the methods, dates, and times they attempted to reach tenants.

It doesn't bother me to answer, or attempt to answer, something that's been asked 100 times.

If you are attempting to get as many houses with inflexible loans, do the DSCRs and keep rolling.

This helps them know to what level to attempt to sell you.

There are also limits to what does/doesn't need a permit, so attempting to find properties that don't require walls to be moved or other issues that may require a permit would be helpful too in the interim.

@Andrew Postell I think I just came across a deal that'll be my first attempt at this--so glad I came across it first!

I definitely want to attempt the BRRRR method soon.

This may seem like a silly question but have you attempted to make contact with the current owner to see if they're willing to let it go?