My suggestions would be to get active on the forums meeting people and going to local RE meetups.

Create a courteous, professional script and approach.Real Estate Wholesalers: Establish connections with local real estate wholesalers.

The influence of the global economic slowdown permeates from localized markets such as Bakersfield, California, to the expansive horizons of the United States and beyond.

"which has offers for $820k off-market to sell" - Pretty it up, get with a local agent, and get it listed on the MLS for more. 

The level of service that foreigners are used to is not the same as normally provided (at mainly local offices/agents). 

Hey BP Fam,  I currently have a local investor looking to exit his rental business within the next 5 years because he's older in age.

Best is to speak to a local realtor .

It seems that versions of the senate and house bills prohibit local governments from limiting STR durations unless the local law was passed prior to 2011.

I would join a local real estate investing club and figure out what members are actual investors and which are "going to be" investors.

You can reach out to your local (state) Self Storage Association, peruse topics on You Tube, and certainly many, many forums here on Biggerpockets with quality folks & quality content.Regardless, of how you piece your learning together, everything (soup to nuts) for an Acquisition is either FINDING a lead, EVALUATING to determine if it's a deal, now you're in the PURCHASING phase, and after you close, now it's all about MANAGING.If you think that at times it makes more sense to build than to buy, then you'll want to learn about Development & Conversions.