Best bet is likely (not absolute - everyone's situation is different) is to look at a national lender or broker that has options in lots of states - its a great development versus 20 odd years ago, with technology, internet, places like this - can have access to many more options than before (local broker or lender thats it)

Sounds like you have a plan to consult with some brokers and expose it to the open market. 

This can lead to "renegotiation" demands at the closing:(Other Potential Issues to Consider:Being in the chain of title is also exposure to potential legal issues.Selling an assignment may be a violation of a state's real estate statutes.Wholesaling w/o a real estate broker's license may violate your state's statutes.I'm sure there are more...

So from the outset, they'd start working with a mortgage broker who can prepare them for a refinance within a few years.

Brokers.

In addition to managing 65+ units in the greater Tampa area I also am a broker who almost exclusively represents investors buy the best available STR properties both on and off market. 

In France, they sell wine.They identified their customers (in your case, reliable tenants) and delivered what they wanted to buy (rent).SummaryA proverb has helped me: "Yard by yard, life is hard.

He ended up sitting down with a local commercial broker who specialized in warehouse properties.

There are also others who assist in teaching you DD.Another route is to find a broker-dealer who invests in alternative investments like real estate funds as they will have done a lot of DD on the sponsor as well. 

I see that real estate agents and brokers are too negative on sub to deals……investors looking for low interest rates and or low down payments are too positive on the same.As I stated the reality is somewhere in between, depending on individual circumstances.