Websites like Yelp, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau can provide valuable insights.

I'm sure you've seen this website, but this is the full info: https://www.savannahga.gov/1476/Short-Term-Vacation-RentalsYou could buy a property with a STVR certificate already in place.You could by on Wilmington and Whitmarsh Islands - they are not regulated yet.

Any referral websites would be appreciated, any tips for the saving renters, programs that help train them to turn renters into homeowners?

His church website is asking for donations to the church and to HIMSELF personally.

There is limited online information about them, except that they have a C+ rating on BBB, and they do not provide an address on their website.

Usually for us this is a bees nest.

SEO for your website / landing page leading to a first page GOOGLE search result based on gearing toward a very narrow specialized niche.3.

The caveat being these types of brokerages off little-to-no support for their agents (regardless of what their website says). 

A surprising number of websites on the first page are wholesalers. 

Whenever I talk to a new lender, I usually research the lender's website, look for the most recent reviews, and look for feedback from forums such as Biggerockets.