I personally choose to utilize the traditional LLC for my first few properties and it has treated me well.

Quote from @Tom Dean: Would appreciate any advice, I would like to invest somewhere in the southeastern quadarant of US (for example I'm open to somewhere like Missouri that isn't traditionally part of the "southeast"), looking for somewhere where I could acquire a SFH STR between $250k - 325k. 

I did not have much luck with traditional banks even though my partner is a GC and has done multiple additions and garages.

Florida’s appeal as a retirement destination also means that buyers and renters aren’t bound by traditional school-year schedules, providing a steady stream of demand for housing throughout the year.Texas: Strong Demand and Economic Growth Drive StabilityTexas boasts a rapidly growing economy, which has fueled a strong and relatively stable real estate market across the state.

The TransUnion "ResidentScore" is similar to a traditional credit score but is tailored specifically for rental screening.

I wonder if I could reach out to any local brokers who would know of investors that perform these loans, since none of the traditional lenders do.  

Our traditional tenants handle small things like a light bulb out or running toilet but it's a something we handle for our PadSplit homes.

Charlotte is tough for buy and hold using the traditional rent model, but we are now a PadSplit community! 

This is much much much faster and requires far less equity than if you compared that to say traditional single family rentals. 

It's generally a useful tool for an investor who is estate planning and has a step-up in basis event on the horizon and can liquidate out of the REIT easier than out of the traditionally held property.