Offered $7k under asking and got it under contract.

Both avenues offer unique opportunities and challenges, so choosing the right path depends on various factors that are specific to your financial goals and risk tolerance.Investing in Residential Real Estate:Residential real estate is typically the more familiar option for many investors.

You then have to stack your financing costs on top of that, as well as reserves for Maintenance and Capex.You could always start off offering the other side of your house as a STR and see how it goes.  

Currently working on analyzing leads accurately relative to rental income and interior of property when determining offer price. 

This one just told me it can't be done and didn't offer any alternatives.

Hitting someone cold will not give you that leverage.As Russell said, investing long distance is extremely risky without an established crew and contacts in the area you are looking. 

Owners mistakenly ASSUME all PMCs offer the exact SAME SERVICES and PERFORM those services EXACTLY THE SAME WAY, so price is the only differentiator – so, they often select the first PMC they call or that calls them back!

In my opinion you had zero success and should offer any services.

 I have got in contact with lenders that offer 80-90% LTC, what are other ways of financing the out-of-pocket LTC without using my own money?

The best I can offer is to tell you to verify that income carefully, and as @Brent Paul said, make sure that income is not about to be interrupted.Sometimes with CC debt, you do run across reasonably smart, stable, functional people with that much.