It shouldn't be a problem to call and while I don't know the specific rules for Hawaii (probably something like a smoke detector in or next to every bedroom and a carbon monoxide detector in the house), rules regarding smoke detectors are not going to be "grandfathered in" (a term that building departments hate btw).

I was wondering if anyone in Georgia has worked with a good agent that has extensive knowledge of the investment market for short term rentals. 

Let me know if you would like me to get you a term sheet. 

That's the longer term plan once the last kid goes to school.

The more specific your term is the easier it will be to figure out if someone's asked it before.

We originally hoped to rent as a mid term rental in a smaller town with a hospital, but the market quickly became oversaturated for the small demand so we decided to shift to long term rentals on both sides.

In my head I'd want to buy a property cash or creative terms with a private money partner for the home and maybe a 2nd partner for the furnishing and start-up funding.

Probably not easy for long distance. 

But if it's been that long with unpaid taxes, and also has a mortgage, that might be a good time to ask "why?".

Options are limited but I have a source that can help with permanent financing, i.e. 30 yr fixed, interest only 30 year term.