I don't really have any assets or equity, and only a few thousand dollars I can play with.

They are just playing marketing games.

You must understand the rules of the game you are playing if you want to win. 

You only have a few days left of November so you should have the replacement in play by now.

They shared a pro forma that looks good and seems to play out well.

Investors in more expensive cities are playing it so aggressive that they are even willing to pay double the actual worth of a property in smaller markets.

In most cases the owner received payment from the insurance company which plays in your favor to buy it.Be sure to check with the city to see if there are any issue with buying and renovating. 

@Rayan PerezHere are my favorite books:Multifamily Millions by Dave LindahlThe ABCs of Real Estate Investing by Ken McElroyThe Complete Guide to Buying and Selling Apartment Buildings by Steve BergesCommercial Real Estate Investing by Dolf De RoosTrump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received by Donald TrumpTax Free Wealth by Tom WheelwrightCommercial Real Estate 101: How Small Investors Can Get Started and Make It Big by David LindahlRaising Private Capital: Building Your Real Estate Empire Using Other People’s Money by Matt FairclothThe Definitive Guide to Apartment Marketing by Josh GrilloInvesting in Apartment Building by Matthew MartinezCrushing It in Apartments and Commercial Real Estate by Brian H MurrayThe 7 Secrets to Successful Apartment Leasing by Eric Cumley2 Years to a Million in Real Estate by Matthew MartinezBurn Zones: Playing Life’s Bad Hands by Jorge NewberyCommercial Mortgages 101: Everything You Need to Know to Create a Winning Loan Request by Michael ReinhardIt’s a Whole New Business!

January is not a desirable month to visit Minnesota and the startup cost/time of a short term rental doesn't make sense as a short term play.

In my market, condo investing is more of a long-term appreciation play since most deals do not cashflow without a substantial down payment.All the best!