This will avoid them from getting sent to a collection agency.  

.- put out 20-30 bandit signs (zero calls)- ran some FB/AdWords ads (I own a marketing agency, so I’m very fluent in this and still had no luck)- knocked on 30-40 doors of people in pre-foreclosureOne avenue I haven’t done, but would be happy to invest $500-$1,000 in, is direct mail.

Is there a different agency in Florida that regulates this?

If it didn't you need to get busy protecting your position and negotiating a solution.A collection agency is not the way to go.

There is also the Dollar house program that allows givernment agencies to purchase homes for $1 and sell or use them for government purposes. 

Please make sure you contact the government agency and not any of the ads that show up. 

Hello Hardeek welcome to the D.This is first I've heard of COTS "managing" properties,but hey I guess it was bound to happen to fill the gap.My experience  with COTS in past was same as any other shelter or temp housing type agency, great resource for pool of potential tenants but you still MUST SCREEN everyone and have a process (or your prop mgr) that screens out the headaches.Be careful not to buy someone else's headache,unless that's your goal of course.Invest wisely.

As I continue to look at property listings, one thing that I always struggle with is establishing the fine line between "needs rehab" vs just stylistically different than my (and 'mainstream') tastes.For example, I see a lot of properties that are advertised as 'move-in ready' but the pictures show very outdated styles like oak cabinets, oak trim, brass fixtures, etc.

I am currently working at another federal agency while going thru the background check process which should be completed around April or May 2018.

If the home is not in the MLS, have your agent contact directly (it's called a dual-agency transaction), or you can do it without an agent if you want.And then ultimately if no properties work, like Joe said, search in another market.