I have about $20,000 liquid that I can tap into from savings, which I would use a portion for the down payment, and my credit score is 710-714 so I'm not opposed to obtaining financing through a local bank or credit union for financing.Also, what additional books, materials, or resources would you recommend that I could read to get myself more familiarized with this form of real estate investing?

I am interested in the Union & Essex County area.

Or is it just better to knock and face the disgruntled homeowner.5 - Does an investor just line up credit first and then go into the wild.6 - If the credit lined up via a bank/credit-union is for more than the price of the home, does it still require your own 20% down.7 - Duplexes/Triplexes/Quadplexes don't seem to be listed very often on many sites.

Again, trying to set aside personal opinions/beliefs nobody with even a semi-objective bone in the body would deny the benefits medicinally but more importantly there inst a state in our union that wouldn't welcome $200,000,000.00 a year in additional tax revenue (see Colorado 2016); total tax revenue from marijuana is expected to top $1B by 2020 in CO.

While I'm sure some regional banks, credit unions, etc. will slightly differ in their weights I would imagine they all care about credit scores, net worth, DSCR, etc.  

Take out a 100% Home Equity Loan (not line of credit) from my credit union on my personal home and put some cash with the equity loan for a cash purchase.

As for work in the area,  many people could commute to ATL for work, but I'd look at what industries are more specifically there, Palmetto, Union City, etc.As for the numbers, it depends on who you ask.

Find other banks or credit unions.

Try Credit Unions, local and national banks.  

@Frantz Joseph Local credit unions will give you the best rates on these