My friend recently told me of this scenario where the person I lease to would perhaps then double book individuals and keep deposits. 

Individuals who bought real estate during a recession have seen their property values and cash flow nearly triple. #2 avoid sowing seeds of failure in the good times - Many investors fail due to investing in prosperous markets.

One feature that I would love is to be able to see this on the main search page so you don't even have to navigate to an individual listing.

Only an experienced individual or professional should try this.

Choose non-judicial foreclose states with pro-business laws like Texas and Georgia.I have several high worth individuals who fund rental RE in GA earning 7-8% APY on 5 to 10 year terms.

It's pretty simple to use and gives you an overall picture of your situation, along with individual breakdowns.

If a cash out refinance, many lenders will allow the cash out to satisfy the reserves requirement.DSCR lenders generally let you vest either individually or as an LLC.

Also consider short term month-month leases on airbnb, renting individual rooms, month to month leases, just to get the cashflow energy flowing again.  

I would like to get a list of individuals to meet with while there. 

Start with your primary, rent out any spare bedrooms "house hack"Use that to practice upgrades, kitchen, bathroom, curb appeal... etcNow you have experience as a landlord and flipper, use that to buy a distressed propertyAdd 40% equity to the property through home makeover, refinance into a low cost mortgageNow you are cashflowing a healthy margin on a second property, use that to build equity over time, cashout later and buy your duplex/quad.If it's going to take you 10 years to save up a down payment for a small apartment building, yeah it makes more sense to start growing your portfolio with cheap SFR flips instead.Every market is different, every borrower is different, every property is different, it would be ill-advised to recommend anything without recognizing the individual's nuanced goals and objectives with their next acquisition.