If this build is a custom or "one off" property then consult those comps to evaluate what the value will be.  

2-  What can I do, if anything, to make my project more attractive to contractors.I don't have this problem with subs, they are amazing.   

I have roughly $100k saved up but would like to raise capital for deals so I can buy more attractive properties and scale faster.

Customer service was awful, they kept saying to download the report on the website and had no solutions to allow me to pay on my own, provide them my business ids or get confirmation of payments from the paid local and state entities.

Make seller financing more attractive, you could offer paying a higher interest rate to the seller.

My other strategy, which seems way too unwieldy and unfocused, has been to open Google Maps, and pick random cities that I have either heard of, or are adjacent to population centers or natural attractions (mountains, lakes, parks etc), and start looking at Zillow and comparing historical data for the props I see listed to try to gauge where we might be on the bell curve of appreciation.

I was able to get vacation home financing for 10% down and an attractive 3.125% 30 year conventional loan  on a purchase price of $415K. 

I provide my customers with data/comps tailored to potential properties they are looking to purchase but I wanted to see if there is anything else you look for?

Meaning, if no mice were in the unit prior to them moving in they might have brought them with them or done something to attract them. 

Don't know anyone in that area, but many OOS investors set themselves up for failure because they don't truly take the time to understand:1) The Class of the NEIGHBORHOOD they are buying in - which is relative to the overall area.2) The Class of the PROPERTY they are buying - which is relative to the overall area.3) The Class of the TENANT POOL the Neighborhood & Property will attract - which is relative to the overall area.4) The Class of the CONTRACTORS that will work on their Property, given the Neighborhood location - which is relative to the overall area.5) The Class of the PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES (PMC) that will manage their Property, given the Neighborhood location and the Tenants it will attract - which is relative to the overall area.6) That OOS property Class rankings are usually vastly different than the local market they live in.7) That a Class X NEIGHBORHOOD will have mostly Class X PROPERTIES, which will only attract Class X TENANTS, CONTRACTORS AND PMCs and deliver Class X RESULTS.8) Class A is relatively easy to manage, can even be DIY remote managed from another state.9) Class B usually also okay, but needs more attention from owner and/or PMC10) Class C can be relatively successful with a great PMC (do NOT hire the cheapest!)