in other words tell them to pound sand. 

I told them the same thing every time - prove it, and I'll pay, otherwise pound sand.

You usually have to pound the pavement to find them and/or better yet, create them ... and yes, this takes work, especially in the beginning before you have your systems, skills, knowledge, network, and techniques in place, but I know of no other reliable short cut to get them in place other than rolling up your sleeves and getting to work.

It is easy to be penny wise and pound foolish in this business.  

Actually, one more thing that complicates my situation is that I am deathly, like literally death will happen, allergic to cats.So WE are looking for a rental house with NO carpet, which can be cleaned really well, allowing a small 12 pound dog with a good record of non destruction for 5 years in our nyc apartment, ( and we have renting references from here ). 

I found a 5 pound of bag of sugar busted open in the kitchen cabinet Hmm that might explain the 1million roaches.

$30-$50-- Did you want that in pounds?

About 500 pounds small volume cargo space available.I asked the locals down there.

But it takes a lot of work, a lot of cold calls, pavement pounding, hand shaking etc....I think you've got to qualify/interview a mentor like I do when a realtor wants to work with me, or like I do when I'm qualifying a homeowner during pre-foreclosure.

Find an affordable place that meets your needs and be happy you can pound a nail in the wall without knowing a landlord is going to charge you for it.If you have good credit (720+), a good job (DTI < 35%), and that big wad of cash (best not to mention such things on a public forum, by the way), you will have no problem at all getting a loan.