The landlords tried the lease option route but it didn't work.One of the huge institutional investors had a lot of homes in the area so they took the HOA to court. 

(this information can be posted conspicuously in the building instead of being disclosed in the rental agreement or lease.) the name, address, and telephone number of the person or entity to whom rent payments must be made. if you may make your rent payment in person, the agreement or lease must state the usual days and hours that rent may be paid in person. or, the document may state the name, street address, and account number of the nancial institution where rent payments may be made (if it is within ve miles of the unit) or information necessaryto establish an electronic funds transfer for paying the rent.

But you're right, it's not anything like the service you get at a smaller, regional institution.  

That, and developing a relationship with the lender or the rep you work with at that institution really helps.

REIT's and institutional investors will happily take very low cap rates for safety of protecting their capital and ease of management. 

Under this exception, users of consumer reports, including financial institutions, may share information if they are jointly involved in the decision to approve a consumer’s request for a product or service, provided that each has a permissible purpose to obtain a consumer report on the individual.

I can tell you anything you need to know about investing in institutional residential 2nds.

You will not find institutional paper that is performing and get those types of returns.Another option is owner financed notes which the lender may have originated.

On the institutional side, investment bankers are the best examples of placement agents / advisors. 

Michael Blank’s deal analyzer is good for up to 150 units or so and non institutional investors.