If you're set on timeline, up to six months out can be a reasonable lead time.

You can form a team just from the people on this forum.

You can learn to do this independently or get a rockstar REALTOR to lead the way.

So often you see a bland 'beach/ocean' themed STRs...I get it, people are booking your condo to go to the beach and relax, but you can have a fun, stand out theme that still revolves around the ocean, relaxation, etc.

People don't like surprises.

It's been interesting, because lately a number of people have had this exact problem and we've been discussing it on this forum and personally with others we know. 

Have you been going to local meetups in your area to meet other people flipping locally?

There is no system that will deliver you a consistent stream of highly-motivated leads and if there was, it would cost more than you want to spend.Most leads are not as bad as people think.

People would often debate whether it was worth it to take depreciation, “Since you have to pay it back anyway…”.

Key is to make sure you are not cash poor.What I am seeing right now in some sub2 FB groups and a few posts here on BP is people who got close to 100% financing on properties, have a tenant in them but need a major repair and have no funds for that repair.