And for an OOS, I always advise to keep things simple at start, don't get greedy, go for quality and consistency, then work on maximizing monetization later. 

I’ve heard lots of professional investors bash LoopNet but I’ve had multiple home runs from deals I picked up there.

Whatever you buy you likely won’t keep it down the line as you better define your investment strategy, so my advice is to pick an asset that’s going to teach you the most in the quickest amount of time.

Take them to coffee and pick their brain. 

I have STR investors in Florida making 25% cash on cash returns, long term rental investors picking up properties directly off the MLS and cash flowing day 1 in various states, and house hackers completely removing their housing payment from the picture allowing them to save for for the next property.The beautiful thing about real estate is there are so many ways to succeed and a plethora of strategies depending on your comfort level and how active you want to be.

Working with a bank on a short sale is not as simple as it might seem - most have never seen the property and are looking at spreadsheets alone. 

Another tactic you could try is Google searching "Keller Williams Brokerage Near Me" just pick up the phone and call the front desk.

I don’t have an STR myself but have helped a friend set up and manage a couple last year and it’s not as simple as it used to be. 

Now understand, I am not picking on you, I am simply explaining the process you are going  into.

The “methodology” the guru presents either isn’t all that profitable, isn’t as simple to enact as he suggests, and or works only with certain limits as to economic climate, geographical area, etc.2.