Come now.If you need $5K to make a deal and you have only $2K... get a job, make money safe up to your cost/deal.If you want to know how to find your cost/deal the right way, just let me know.

Telling anyone NOT to do do the proven to work methods and tell them to go to craigslist or stalk MLS for deals, simply is bad advise.Here is what you do not get.EVERY month you do not make money you lost it.Rent, gas, utilities, food, mortgage, insurance... you name it.This means that every month you don't make money, you have LESS money left over for marketing.And if you do not market, you are drowning.So if you think that craigslist and the free methods is safe... think again.

@Kip Zavitz  I actually just finished a Real Estate Guys Radio podcast that says pretty much anywhere near Disneworld is a safe 70% - 75% 'occupancy' rate (STR investors don't really say vacancy rate, we go off of occupancy rate). 

That said, here are what I consider the best Denver neighborhoods to stay:HighlandsOld victorian homes in a quiet safe neighborhood with 32nd street shops and bars/restaurants nearby and close to LoHi and downtown night lifeLoHiJust over the bridge from downtown.

Safe money and tax free.

Learn CREATIVE FINANCING strategies/techniques then focus on finding MOTIVATED sellers.

One technique I just started using is to search PropStream for properties in a given town that meet my target criteria. 

Old Dawgs #355 & 357 with Brian Pagethe automation techniques can prove to be helpful.

Safe Harbor from the IRS in rev proc 2002-22. 

@Jeff Sprunger,The VA does have strict guidelines with the major one being it has to be safe, healthy and livable condition.