What documents do they require, what credit scores do they allow, how do they verify previous rental history, etc.?

Maybe some credit challenges.

I looked around and found lenders that will do a day out of foreclosure up to 50%LTV down to a 500 credit score but the loan amount minimum must be 300k.

Either would be a great option; I'd probably choose Roseville because it's more established, but the City of Elk Grove deserves a lot of credit for its impactful growth programs, so it wouldn't be a bad option. 

Any prospective resident with bad credit or a prior eviction is going to have an impossible time finding a place to live.  

Credit for childcare expenses.The credit is allowed for kids 12 and under.

Whether we agree with these items or not, the following are inflationary government policies: stimulus, student debt relief, tariffs, increased child tax credits, limited immigration, and big government deficit spending.

Others want a higher reward so take on more risk, like low credit tenants.

@Angelo LlamasAt the bare minimum, you should do the following to make your bookkeeping easier:- Dedicate one checking account and credit card exclusively to real estate.

I already had my own business, some cash, lines of credit and a solid contractor as a partner which is how I have grown my portfolio so aggressively over the past few years.Unfortunately, $8k is not going to get you very far despite the promises of no money down investing.