Just because some writes a book, goes on a podcast and is popular on social media; doesn't mean they actually know what is going on.

It seems like most all popular screening services like Mysmartmove, Rentspree, etc use the Transunion "resident score" instead of producing actual FICO credit scores for tenants.

SFH are more popular.

Quick thoughts on the markets you're considering:Knoxville, TN: Growing, affordable, and a strong university presence.Huntsville/Montgomery/Tuscaloosa, AL: Huntsville's got tech, while Montgomery and Tuscaloosa have colleges.Asheville, NC: Popular tourist spot, but competitive and pricey.Akron, OH: Affordable, but keep an eye on the local economy.Irving, TX: Part of DFW, so a big market, but prices are higher.St.

How hard will it be to bet appropriate permits for the alterations (2 rooms and bathroom). 

Established developers with a history of successful projects are generally safer bets. 

Right now I would imagine you're best bet is a small balance Freddie or fannie loans depending on loan size and location.

I see updates about Pottsville's revitalizing effort every so often and maybe with remote work gaining popularity, inexpensive cities will be on the rise.

VRBO is a very popular go to for that area and its worth the investment.Can always pull cash out of one of those properties because rates just dropped this week making refinances a lot easier on the wallet!

No current liens but these properties have tax deeds, not warranty deeds if that matters.That as-is value is going to make obtaining financing more difficult for sure.Financing options drop off pretty steeply below a certain dollar amount because foreclosure costs for lenders can be significant.Your best bet may be to connect with some local private lenders (local investor meetups/referrals are a good starting point for this) or local banks.