Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

Do you have a preferred lender?

You should review your pictures and marketing presentation, but it's likely OK.

Hard money loans are usually shorter term, carry a higher interest rate, and the lenders generally don't want to lend on a primary residence.

That would be a good realtor that knows a lender and a contractor . your local facebook groups are a nice place to start and attend some networking events 

We've touched on this prior to the 'settlement' that today lenders essentially allow the real estate commissions to be rolled into the buyer's transaction by appraising for a price sufficient to cover the RE fees.

Quote from @Chris Seveney: Quote from @Bradley Rosenberg: Is there one website/location that would allow me to review/look through all the various Mortage Note Funds/opportunities? 

Once you narrow in on what you're looking for there are some excellent lenders through BP that could help you find some good options for loans.For instance, if you needed to put as low down as possible you could look into an owner-occupied loan like a FHA loan.   

Some people (hosts) seem to manage everything remotely just fine but after doing this locally for several years I don't see how that's possible as crazy things tend to come up during guests visits that have to be dealt with quickly or they can have a serious impact on the critically needed 5-Star guest review. 

The lender has no exit.