Greenville Savings Bank a local small bank that keeps some loans in house allowing some more creative options.

Interview several, including some small local banks, they may be more relationship focused than the larger banks.  

Commercial loan with a local bank?

Do these auctions have a starting bid lower than what the bank will take it for? 

If your credit and income are good, you should be able to buy at least 10 before the banks cut you off.Attending those local meetings will also be where you can find some better deals on properties than through the MLS.

On the off chance you decide to hold and rent, make sure you discuss permanent financing options with a couple of banks/mortgage brokers up front as well.

All investing has some risk to it and if you can't accept that and do the right thing when something goes wrong then just keep your money in the bank.

Your credit does matter because getting loans from banks, but if you have low debit and are paying, your credit shouldn't be that bad.

If they had the means of getting a mortgage from a bank, why wouldn't they just do that from the get go?

Beginning with rent for the month of September, please pay your rent by depositing the entire amount into the following bank account at <your bank>: account # 123; routing # 456.