I see a lot of old posts suggesting meetups but I don't anticipate those being as lucrative of an idea post-covid-19 so just looking for alternative/safe ways to get myself out there! 

Alternatively, I remember moving from Japan to San Diego in 2006 with two kids - the rental market was so tight that PMs had many qualified applications to choose from on each house, so I had to write several $35 checks hoping they wouldn't all get processed and cashed at the same time... 

An alternative you might consider is house hacking with a casita/in-law suite.

Alternatively you could look at other options like putting up more earnest money to make the offer more appealing. then some 

I am moving in Fort Myers for work and the project forecast is 5 years.I am not sure if buying would be the best option if, after the project will be completed, I will need to move in another location.Is the rent a valid alternative otherwise?

Alternatively, you could also run numbers as if you are putting 20% down to see how that adjusts your COC.

He declined and didn't really give us an alternative option. 

Any suggestions/alternative solutions would be appreciated.  

I'm wondering if anyone has alternate financing strategy suggestions on alternate financing strategies for us for the next 4-6 homes we open over the next 2 years. 

the incentive to this is they can ask for 10-20% down payment which might help them get into another home for thier dp also if they list the previous property as a source of income for cashflow increase as well.the next option would be short sale, sometimes extremely difficult to get the bank to agree to. if their main priority is moving, do they have additional properties or need to reserve credit to enter into a new mortgage. leasing is another alternative but depending on local rental pricing/ mortgage payments/ insurance and taxes, are they at profit or break even?