When you're buying an renting a home you can run into difficulties with tenant management and maintenance, which can be extremely frustrating.

Find out what area works best and which areas provide the most difficulties for them.  

They might ask for some type of down payment just know that you have some skin in the game.

I have been looking into pre-NOD's in the Memphis area, but having difficulty finding a reliable source for pre-NOD leads.  

I can't see why a landlord would have any objections to this as from their perspective you are putting more skin in the game by having your future credit take a hit if you fail to pay rent and pay on time.

I've had difficulty with the same thing. 

looks like you've got a little skin in the game already, that's great.What are your long term real estate goals looking like?

The idea of someone not buying a home because the paint color was wrong just got under his skin.  

The more unit, the more tenant issues... so only start with a 4plex if you have a thick skin, it's in a great neighborhood, or you have experience with management....If you can't afford a plex in a decent neighborhood, consider buying a plex and moving into it.  

Difficulties will happen and you must be able to communicate.