The key is that they are lending their own money, not just originating loans for Fannie and Hedge Funds  like the big banks do.First Western Federal Savings in SDNorth American Savings Bank in MOTitan Bank in TX

As a result assets will continue to appreciate.Using someone else's money allows you to leverage and buy assets NOW that will continuously go up in value, as well as increase a cash on cash return for yourself over time.

Tons of investors are buying Columbus up!

Where would be the best place to buy a condo that would be used for short term rentals such air bnb or vrbo??

Not all of them have millions to buy a house.

As a starter, I recommend reading “Long-Distance Real Estate Investing: How to Buy, Rehab, and Manage Out-of-State Rental Properties”(if you still haven't). 

@Patrick Irish, If paying money buys you peace of mind then go for it. 

First, I'd recommend getting to know what different avenues you have such as wholesaling, buy and hold, developing, "house-hack", etc and seeing what you're comfortable with.

So if you want to buy a house to live in as an owner occupant, you have to get the tenant's permission to buy it (and to sell it).

The groups with the largest marketing budgets get the most leads, which by sheer volume will convert more investors, which means more equity to buy deals.