It seems like they all want to charge for ACH and Credit Card Payments. 

Send them thank you and Christmas card for leaving.

You can lose tens of thousands with rookie mistakes.

Building will not be in the cards for those prices and land opportunities right now.

One option is to pay down any existing debts (credit cards, car loans, etc.) to free up income capacity.

Maybe paying off credit card debt or other debt on your report to reduce the minimum payments, increasing the downpayment, finding a house that doesnt require HOA or flood insurance (if applicable), etc.

Sign up for their card and save another 10% or something. 

Rookie question but what do you mean by yield?

ACH transfers are free, but if a tenant wants to pay with a credit card they will get charged a fee.

That's been the best strategy for me, and most people will say it's the best rookie strategy.