And yes, we can have a discussion of how STRs ruin neighborhoods, and crime goes up 473%, and people are being displaced from affordable housing, and all that crud.

Not sure if this tugs at heart strings or would just worry someone that we're inexperienced.My sense is that people don't necessarily understand what seller financing is, so should I write about what that means and the benefits they might not have considered?

Ronald,Thanks for responding to my request,  I do not have any contracts in place yet but wanted to have people in place for once I get a contract on a property. 

Based on the info I've received from a few nice people here, it's looking like a BRRRR/house hack is going to be my next best bet.

Would love to connect with people nearby, and if anyone has any advice for investing in the area and which specific cities would be the best to invest in.

I would strongly recommend attending one or two so you can start networking and meeting people in the industry.

So what are some of the criteria that people look at?

Sorry for the noobie questions I tried using google for most and I just want unbiased answers instead of people trying to make me a customer.

If the church is active, you could consider airbnb for people coming in for weddings, baptisms and funerals.

As others have mentioned, most people in your situation go with a DSCR loan.