I also know that if I find a unique property that stands out with quality, cleanliness,  convenience, and hopefully some spectacular views, it will improve my chances of success. 

Here are some lakes I'm looking at; Siver Lake, Pentwater Lake, Hamlin Lake, Manistee Lake, and Lake Michigan Coastline from Manistee down to Silver Lake. 

Eagle Rock on the hill with spectacular views. 

Spectacular!

I do both ACH and checks, but switching more and more to ACH because it's so spectacular not having to deal with the payments anymore.

The size of a small CA or WA city, spread across the entire coastline. 

If I was looking to stay in a STR I would probably skip past the manufactured home unless it was in a spectacular area.

(Not to say there aren't some spectacular properties at a higher price point too.)Further from Portland:Ashland & Medford, OR - Southern Oregon, Ashland is a great little college town with (when it opens back up) the amazing Oregon Shakespeare Festival.Bend, Sisters, Tumalo, Prineville, Redmond - Oregon's high desert.

But sometimes they make the news because greed triumphed over common sense, which caused the deal to fail in a spectacular way (Barbarians at the Gate).

Drove most of the island coast lines as well as the interior of the island.