Internet chatter is a good starting point but most of my investors say the gold is going deal and taking relationships offline. 

I am working on a product that will help small-medium size landlords launch and maintain Internet presence at a small monthly cost without spending big budget on custom development.It will include: SEO, custom domain, direct syncing with your property management software, syncing with QB. 

I bet passive investors had been working with coaches to underwrite the deals they've been investing in the past two years.

Best bet is to go talk with some local banks and commercial lenders bc most likely that's not gonna fly on any kind of conventional loan.

I'll bet it is a leaky toilet flapper valve or something. 

In this situation, your best bet is to hire a PMC to take it as-is, in a current situation and rid yourself of the emotional headache.

Are you saying "don't read, don't research, stay off the internet, just connect with a team" isn't great advice?

I bet you do very well with it..

Your best bet is to go direct to seller.

If it did, you can bet they would have closed it after VRBO started.