I assume mountain towns are my only option for cooler in the summer without humidity. 

Your options are limited. 1. 

In the end, it may be the same amount of money or more, but it will just have to be structured differently as you navigate the shifting market.Northwest Valley would be a good option. 

@Alecia Loveless  We plow AND salt , we dont give the customer an option . 

If that's what you're really after I would start with the basics of what kind of bank loans either residential or commercial are available to you - not saying this is the best option, but it's a good place to start.

Just one additional option.  

If you won't be occupying a unit and at least one of the units is occupied by a tenant, you will want to purchase a landlord dwelling policy (there are other options besides a landlord policy but I won't get into that here). 

These solutions can make a huge difference, and the long-term option will really help set your STR up for success.

While you work on that, you could also explore creative financing options like DSCR loans or partnerships to fast-track your first STR.

Paid platforms often offer additional features like market analytics, off-market property leads, and filters for investor-specific criteria, giving them a leg up over free options.