All of this information is paid for by those marketing the properties and advertisers, but it's free to you!

With out starting my own direct mail campaign I don't see 2% in a great neighborhood being likely for me as an out of state investor, I shoot for 1.5% but I still have hope of finding a 2% deal eventually. 

Are your mailing campaigns your only lead source?

I have always done non-refundable. for tenants who have multiple pets (i had one tenants had 4 pets total, dog and cats), we do 500 non-refundable, and 500 refundable. for the refundable part, at the end of the lease if there's no damage, deposit back.And I request reference, and consult with insurance expert on the pets breed, making sure it's not the aggressive type, have good background/history and house trained, etc.Also, I advertised as deposit is per pet, but if they have multiple, it's always a case by case basis, I want to get as much information as possible about the pets first, and then negotiate a agreement with the tenants.

Depending on your budget you should launch a multi-level marketing campaign.

Here's the situation; we close 8/19, the occupant on empty side moves out 8/31, and we'd like to advertise the unit for 9/1.

I just sent out my first directmail campaign and I'm starting to get some calls as of yesterday.

Personally I would take pictures and start advertising.  

A lot of rehabbers post on craigslist and if you have a property under contract you can advertise it on Craigslist.  

So far, I've called the homeowner after seeing a rent sign in the front yard advertising that both units of a 2/2 duplex were available.