I also deposited the rent into a different bank than my usual and shredded the debit card so I couldn't spend the money except with great effort.

Effort is logarithmic as property count increases.

It's often impossible for these contractors to make any money at all if they don't make a determined effort to screw you, the end customer, in terms of time spent doing the work, quality and thoroughness of the workmanship, and materials.

Oh, and I'm 6 months pregnant with my 3rd child (all will be under 6 years old) SO ANYTHING you put your mind and effort to is POSSIBLE guys. 

It also shows preforeclosure houses, which is a potential goldmine for direct mail campaigns or other sorts of marketing efforts.

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-has-begun-sending-letters-to-virtual-currency-owners-advising-them-to-pay-back-taxes-file-amended-returns-part-of-agencys-larger-efforts

In terms of lowest cost/highest effort: driving for dollars, door knocking, calling FSBOs and for rents, networking, direct mail, bandit signs, PPC. 

A beginning real estate investor can gain vast knowledge without spending money if they’re willing to invest effort.

Constant effort, constant improvement will get you where you want to be. 

It will require a ton of hustle, motivation, effort, and grittiness, but this should not be anything new to someone who has a true desire to succeed.