Licensable vacation rentals are obviously in high demand and offers can become quite competitive, I don't have any formal statistics but I'd say a quality active or eligible vacation rental sells at least twice as fast as a non STR property, the majority within days..My best advice to investors shopping for a hot or high demand asset class is:- Prepare & Practice: Get your ducks (GO UO!) 

Does anyone have any advice, connections or suggestions?

It's expensive, but this might be the time to tap those "get cash fast" offers from your credit cards.

and didn't fill out the cash offer form.

This entails being aware of the advantages it will offer to both parties as well as how it fits into their respective long-term company strategies.

Our offer was accepted yesterday, and our five day due diligence is supposed to start tomorrow.From what I have thoroughly studied on the comps, they do sell within a decent time frame and for much higher than the purchase price, although the majority of comps are slightly larger in sqft.

We sent one of those “love letters” through our agent and he sold to us for the same price as the other guys offer because he liked us.

Celina and Prosper, a bit further north, have seen a lot of growth, offering a country vibe but still close to Dallas for work.

Is there a typical amount that may be offered extra to help them out after I come to my price?

My goal is to find a property that rents well and offers decent appreciation.I've narrowed my search to the following Sacramento area neighborhoods: Citrus Heights, Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, and Roseville.