To make me feel comfortable I would want to have at least 3 solid face to face connections with them. 

To give solid advice the community will likely need more information, (where you want the vacation rental, how much you think you want to pay, any questions/ concerns you have) It is difficult to give advice with no supporting information. 

If this relationship with your financial partner is solid, you may want to look at this option, giving a preferred rate to investors and you/your partner developing the schedule of hurdles and splits.Many options to consider, but honest conversation with your partner seems in order.

Thankfully the house had new electrical and solid plumbing.

Additional info, I am a business owner, very busy with my business, no time to handle flips or that kind of thing, just looking for solid investment / cash flow, and need tax benefits.  

If you are handy you could divide the closet with a solid wood 12” shoe shelf and have a high and low bar on either side...low bar removable for dresses.

This is why it is so important to have a solid contract with your contractors and subs.

What exactly should I be targeting to get some solid leads? 

It's all about having solid property management- they will make you or break you.

Who builds unnecessary wasteful losses into a business plan.........lazy landlords.Pay now or pay more later.