We just bought a 6 unit building on a creek in downtown Salem, OR, all units have a balcony or patio looking at the creek, but it is 3 blocks from the downtown main street, 10 blocks from a University and 8 from the State Capital. 

I can be one track minded or all over the place.

Any time you put your money up, there is a chance of losing some or all of it.

Hi JohnYes using options is helpfulHere is language on one of my option to puchase agreements—————FINANCING This option may be exercised by any or all of the following INITIALED terms:a) Cash or Third Party Financing: Buyer will pay cash or obtain third party financing such as a mortgage or other loan (s) in the amount of:$___________________________ Initials: Optionor ________ Optionee ________ (Term Accepted)b) Lease Purchase: Optionor will grant buyer the option to purchase the property in the amount of: $______________________________whileleasing the property for a ___ month period with payments of $_____________ per month due and payable on the first day of each month with $_________ down as non-refundable option consideration.

We may  use hard money or all cash and once stabilized refinance the hard money or pull out our cash. 

Some (or all?)

I'd like a system that I can import my property owners into that will automate some or all of this process.  

As Paul said you can always outsource more or all of it if needed.The biggest problem to this strategy is changing rules and laws.

Haha Jay, it's virtual or all online.   

Simple math on the two scenarios yield completely different life changing results, the only caveat is most people don't have the information, vision, or discipline to execute the better scenario which is what @Thomas S. was getting at with the bad credit, no money crowd chasing the "Get rich quick" deals, they tend to lack several or all of these skills.