They are in their 60's with no pensions, retirement plans, or property.I'm planning on helping them to purchase a home soon, possibly using my credit to do so unless we can find an owner finance or similar situation.My question is this: is there a way I could use my credit to help them buy a home while preserving my buying power for future deals that I want to do on my own?

There is a plethora of vendors available who handle title, site visits, loss mitigation, legal/foreclosure, property preservation and property sales -- all can be directed via phone/email. 

@Steve nailed it.

Prior to Real Estate I was in Property Preservation and a general contractor as well.

The current tenant claims they were there when he moved in...... in going through my records, my move in agent and the tenants placing agent have no record of a move in condition sheet filled out by the tenant.Lease states that if the tenant does not submit one, the house is considered damage free.House bought in 5/2014..all new paint....one tenant previous for 12 months...this tenant for the remaining time until now.My agent did the walk through post last move out and did not note any issues where she felt I needed to repaint except one room, which I did.Since its so many walls in different rooms, the estimate is $1000 to repaint these areas.So the recent tenant is claiming they were there already and its normal wear and tear and is my responsibility to fix.My position is that there is no documentation of his claim and if he had just left them alone I could have fixed the issues way cheaper since it would have been done correctly from the start....it would have been way better to just leave a bunch of nail holes in the walls than have blotchy paint everywhereOpinions?

If it were me, I would spend some time TODAY, to nail down what type of foreclosure it might be and where in the process you are at.

Thank you,  the lease states that The tenant agrees that the Landlords, their agents, servants, and contractors, shall have the right to enter into and upon the premises, or any part thereof, at all reasonable hours for the purpose of examining the same or making emergency repairs and alterations as may be necessary for the safety and preservation thereof.

- but I am beginning to get the impression they are going to fight tooth and nail on getting back into the house once rehabbed.

If it isnt tight and sturdy nailing the shingles is tough.

Accordingly, if you anticipate a large state balance due for tax year 2017 you may want to consider paying that by year end if you are not in alternative minimum tax to preserve your deduction.