But on the flip side, it's emotionally difficult to give money to someone who didn't pay rent. 

I had lunch with another investor the other day and he told me look, if YOU are mailing to them, someone else is mailing to them, too, it just matters whose card they pick up in that emotional moment when they chose to make the call.

I have had trouble finding a realtor who understands the investing standpoint since it is much different than  a homebuyer purchasing a home based on emotions and not the numbers.

Don't get caught up in the emotion of just making numbers works due to excitement of your first deal!

So much of this game is how you handle your emotions.

What happens if one of these owners gets transferred - or needs to move away for temporary reasons - are they willing to sell instead of rent?

They may ignore a temporary issue like that if you can prove you paid immediately.Check google for mortgage brokers in your area to find private lenders.

How many people put money and emotions together?  

Remember, ugly is only temporary.

It was just temporary and so they have decided to sell@Jeff Valentino I want the property because Tampa is growing at the moment, but also because we vacation there at least once a year and love the area.