Meeting the team personally has some value but I have worked with dozens of investors who have never been to Memphis and never meet me face to face. 

In 2008 when the stocks went down, I realized my 401k was invested with a person I had never met.

What documents do they require, what credit scores do they allow, how do they verify previous rental history, etc.?

And now that it’s posted, all I’ve gotten is 1 hit and that person was a no show. 

Similarly, a credit report fee upfront is reasonable, but these can often be avoided as well.

Many banks limit personal loan amounts.

I have been to the 3-day and it is a well run event, by professional persons. 

Otherwise, if the numbers make sense and your credit is good, it should be easy to find a lender.

Data point: we have a long-term rental in a popular STR neighborhood listed through Zillow right now.Every person who writes asking to do some sort of arbitrage is blocked by the Zillow platform.I don't even have to say "no thank you anymore."  

depends on your credit if you can get a mortgage or your ability to find good deals that you use hard money for and then refinance into DSRC.