While most local/regional banks are big on only lending to local investors, I heard Pinnacle is more open to all small businesses - let us know how you fare..I have not yet gone the small bank route as my big one (Wells Fargo) has lent me, but the time will come.

I have been actively looking in the region for the past 3 months and really want to ramp up our search.

I used to live in the South Bay (Pacific South Bay Area) and I paid 950 for a room in a nice house with few roommates.

That's good, but if you have enough funds and you intend to keep the property more than a couple of years, I would suggest getting a non-FHA loan at 5% down (loans like this are readily available in my area - the Capital Region of NY - for someone with good credit, a source of income, and a reasonable debt-to-income ratio). 

Considering contacts in my local region.

@Steven Cherry  I would  contact them for last months rent and prorated days as @Theresa Harris   said although she doesn't say where she is from this advice region doesn't matter. 

We are active members of the Orlando Regional Association of Realtors.

If you ever find yourself in the Lakes Region, ping me, I'm looking to build out my network.Good luck in your endeavors.

Being able to target high equity homes that have been occupied past the regional average is better than mailing an entire neighborhood.

I don't know; every Regional MLS is different and I don't know what access your team member has.