I personally scrubbed each lead on my list because I didn't want to waste any money on properties I wouldn't be interested in (i.e, the property is in a bad area of town, near train tracks, etc.).  

When we started using commercial banks I had 3 years of landlording history and only 8 units, and they were fine using that as my track record

Mentors can help you on the right track to pursue something.  

That isn't to be said everywhere, but there's always someone else:)  I tracked craigslist/trulia/zillow/etc. for a few months, and still do, to see what apartments actually got moved into, versus what is still on the market for asking rents today.

Redfin.com is the next best thing to having MLS access...also HomeSnap.com, they're both connected to ARMLS and they both have private notes features where you can track and make notes on each property you're watching (although Redfin is eliminating that feature, write them and ask them not too!!)!

I follow public notices in my home state of Michigan to track foreclosures in areas I invest in and sometimes I see HOA's foreclosing for under $10K. 

I am marketing to prospects in Orange County FLA (Orlando) and I buy a CD from the Orange County Assessors office of all the details they track on every property in the county.

Another question is, why has it become the responsibility of the landlord to fix the shortcomings of the criminal justice system?

At this time the "road" is merely car tire tracks across his front and side yard.  

What you are looking for is an experienced agent with a proven solid track record who has also done RE flips.