The owner is a master plumber and his company is licensed in all mechanicals and he has dozens of subs that do the high quality finish. 

What's the difference between an LLC vs Land Trust for an out of state owner?

From experience as an owner and a student, I think most would want to bring their own furniture themselves with the exception of appliances like fridge/freezer and washer/drier. 

How do you know they are the legal owner?

This can get complicated if you are racing against time between getting it sold versus the banks take over.Can you get it sold at a high enough price to pay off the mortgage or is the owner under water?

His or her picture is probably on the site.

Most STR owners joined the game during/since COVID and does not know what normal looks like causing newer owners to panic and drop rates to rock bottom (4 bedrooms with indoor pools during spring break art $229 a night when the Holiday Inn Express is $249 a night).

There's no such thing as a "deal" when it comes to STRs in the resort towns, but it is a better time than late fall/winter when the ski season is ramping up and the Airbnb market makes it more likely for owners to rent instead of sell.

I understand that you're not coming to terms with the seller on owner financing, but cash in hand might change that conversation.

I use Spokeo a lot for doing cold calling in my real estate business and I think it does a good job of returning quality owner information.