Being a smaller city there aren't a whole lot of options.Cheers!

If these aren't an issue, then maybe it might be worth investigating further. 

@William WongThere aren't any types of special protections for foreign buyers investing in the US real estate market.

You also aren't supposed to market the property, in any way, shape, or form whatsoever, unless you are a licensed RE agent. 

I haven't used a hardmoney loan before myself, but maybe smaller banks would be more willing to work with you on it if the larger ones aren't

There are good deals everywhere, BUT there are NOT good deals of all kinds everywhere.It is very possible that, in the current market, there aren't really many cash flow properties available within 3 hours of Miami.  

Smart business decisions aren't always the absolute right ones.  

I'm wondering...when people aren't quite at the stage of touring specific properties with a real estate agent, but instead are just browsing/screening properties, what method do you use to find properties?

Learn as much as you can about DIY through you tube. even if you hire contractors, you need to know what is going on to talk intelligently about the situation and make sure you aren't getting ripped off.

Based on your post you aren't going to get a conventional mortgage -credit and short term intent being the biggest two items.Look for hard or private money lenders that might be willing to work with your situation.