So there's not usually anywhere near enough of a margin for on-market properties.There are cases where that's not true, for example where the seller might be very motivated (and have enough equity to be willing to come down significantly from market value), but those are somewhat difficult to find, especially in this market where anything that has a hint of being priced below market or any kind of seller motivation tends to get scooped up pretty quickly.It's more difficult to get a good deal on a property that doesn't need work, simply because you don't have that to justify making an aggressively low offer (one low enough to give you enough margin to wholesale it).As with getting a great deal off the MLS, it's certainly possible, but it's less likely and is a bit of an uphill battle.

Care to drop any hints about good locations for such rentals?

Again, your reputation and your word must be pure as 24 carat gold in this business, and anything that even hints at shady dealing or talking out of both sides of your mouth must be avoided at all costs.  

Everything you just said is exactly what I didn’t want to believe, that they subtly kept dropping the importance of building a team all week, just to drop their “quick solution”.

Someone hinted at this above, but might be worth looking into house hacking or a combo of house hacking and BRRRR.

I've seen some subtle hints that the resort is strict or controlling in some way?

@Jerryll Noorden are you hinting that you used paid advertising for another business?

Hint: Cap Ex is not applicable to a single family house and it is not an actual expense.

They can also recommend a good GC to do repairs (hint - don't hire a Home Inspector who does their own repair work :-)

Hint: biggest investment tax break there is