How are companies like invatation homes, american homes 4 rent, silver bay, progress residental, way point homes, aquiring so many propertys when theres a shortage of houses?

I personally dont like YL for the reasons you mentioned, but pretty much all marketing methods work with enough volume (postcards, YL, flares, smoke signals, etc).It DOES attract sellers, since I know some great investors who ONLY use yellow letters.  

Yes, we (wholesalers) do all the heavy lifting and grunt work to find smoking deals.

Research the property for liens and such before you think you're getting a smoking deal.And as @Joel Owens mentioned, there is no telling what real problems this house has until you open those walls.

Holy smokes if you guys actually think snail mail is even worth a fraction of targeted FB ads I have a fantastic business opportunity for you guys to invest in! 

You might be able to use the existing mirror if it's not de-silvering around the edges.

I inherited a tenant that smoked with a building that I purchased.

For this size apartment,, 4 people in a 600 sq ft apt,, would be like packed like sardines..I always set my occupancy well below the standard.. my 1 bedrooms were limited to single person occupancy..2br's 2 people,, studio's 1 person.. and no pets..and no smoking.. 

Landlords have a right to inspect to make sure the smoke detectors are operational (this is a requirementbin all states that I know of) and the property is in a safe and livable condition.

There a great many benefits when investing near the university- its the largest employer in Cincinnati, student population growing 6%/yr, I've had 0 vacancy, it's just 2 mi from over the rhine(think silver lake) and downtown, it presents cash flowing deals while well in the path of appreciation, and every major hospital in the city is within 1mi.