You can find online which larger institutions are buying in a specific area and try and reach out to them.

It may be similar to other commercial lending options, but it really depends on the type of property and the procedure of the specific lender you're working with.

I would focus specifically on markets that are landlord-friendly.

Networking, local meetups, door knocking, mailers, wholesalers, online forums specific to your area of interest.  

Would love to hear form some Multi-Family owners/operators in these markets about pros/cons and specifically neighborhoods to avoid.My wife and I have been to Columbia SC many times and, while we have never been to Little Rock Arkansas, we plan on going in Late March! 

However, the suitability of buying and renting out a single-family home in Richmond can depend on various factors, such as market trends, rental demand, and property values (similar case with all markets, really.)Chatting with a local agent in the area can provide very helpful insights into the market, data, and specific neighborhoods.

Responses like this are good for me because I am pretty uneducated on things like specific loans or qualifying requirements.

Scaling-  your question is both country and even town specific.  

Any tips on what to screen for specifically?

I am not too certain on which specific strategies I would like to learn more about.