I'd love to share knowledge with the community AND learn and collaborate with you all!  

I’d submit for consideration- buyers who won those bids in 2017 2018 2019 and very happy they did and the prices have continued to go up.

The first deal is always the hardest to accomplish.

  $20k is the amount I'd recommend to have in just reserves for owning two properties. 

I'd be curious to see a historical chart.  

@Grace Santos what you can do, although tedious, is gather AirDNA comparables and then use google maps street view to see what the actual address is and send the address, the Air BnB listing, and the AirDNA printout for those specific comparables to the appraiser. 

I don't anticipate this happening again, but if you feel it might, I'd make sure expectations are set with agents before each showing.

Although you don't have a lot of experience, you could look for a fix and flip or BRRRR investor, partner with them on a purchase and split the profits. 

I think BiggerPockets has an Agent Finder service, but if you can't find anything there, I'd just start talking to local agents.

I'd Consider leveraging VA services and ensuring thorough training for effective cold calling, or opt to hire a professional cold calling service.