We can enjoy Atlanta (2 Hours away), and Nashville (3 Hours), Destin (4 hours), Chattanooga (2 hours), New Orleans (5 hours).Birmingham has an excellent food scene with many award winning restaurants, great breweries, a thriving downtown, beautiful parks and nature areas, and concerts/entertainment. 

If you want to find the deals directly, you'll need to go out and prospect the sellers and see who would entertain an offer.

@Andrew BerardiReply to Plan A You're assuming he would sell or entertain your offer. 

First impressions are important and can attract quality tenants.Offer amenities: Consider adding value by providing amenities such as laundry facilities, off-street parking, or outdoor spaces like a patio or balcony.

I have family in Anchorage and love taking our kids into the outdoors and it doesnt get more outdoorsy than the Alaska wilderness.

We did entertain short term rental of the two new units we were putting in, but the city was not to keen on that idea as they are so desperate for long term housing.

I got all the tools that I can think of to make this a successful venture: I got the smart locks, keypad, door bell cam, outdoor cam, noise sensor, PMS, Dynamic Pricing tool, scheduling app for cleaners, smart thermostat, etc.

Even if it is during the day, you still expect others to be able to enjoy their time outdoors and not listen to loud parties. 

Build a large deck, set-up a dining set and put creative outdoor furniture - people come to the area to enjoy outdoors.

Very entertaining.