But I too have discovered that half of them will slack and slide if you don't "keep them on a time schedule" and cajole them regularly. 

Gradually, I came to almost hate rentals.Then our second mortgages paid off (we'd borrowed on our home and from family to get started), and we started actually cash flowing positive on a regular basis. 

I would find a secured credit card with the lowest interest rate as possible.

If you both have regular 40-hr jobs - you cannot qualify as REPro, sorry.

I find the whole concept of securing a property with a contract without the full intention to complete the sale unethical- why not be up front with people? 

I doubt the city plows this regularly but only when you call them.  

Since we are new to REI and recent grads at the same time, we do not have enough cash nor able to secure private money for the time being (we want to have a track record before seeking out partnerships).

Now back to your regularly scheduled DOS debate...

However, even getting this done takes a lot of maneuvering and there's a risk the seller will send a third party to secure the property when they realize its vacant and they still wont allow you access.

Hey Frank, I'm new to BP and RE investing  (I've made several offers but no deals secured yet) so take my advice with a grain of salt but I think what you're going to get a lot of is...