These SFh's seem so.....safe.  

Looking within the $550,000 - $700,000 range and I don't mind dicey neighborhoods, but it needs to be relatively safe. 

Your best bet would be to bring on a partner with good credit.

I'll bet you'll be ok since you're already licensed.

@Cameron IarrobinoAmateur historian connecting dots, I bet a lot of towns and cities had explosive population growth in those decades.

Simply Safe systems are great to use so long as you keep the electricity on.Otherwise, if you have boots-on-the-grounds, PM, Realtor, etc. that can pop by regularly to check locks and show that the property is being checked on.You can install live, or dummy cameras, on the exterior of the property as a deterrent as well.Best of luck to you!!

I am under the impression that my best bet would be to try and find something off market and simply go birddog and distribute letters to the property owners whose property that I feel would best fit my criteria.

That sounds like your best bet.

Unless you were specifically looking further north, I'd say anything south of Hooksett would be a better bet than Berlin. 

By law, if you are treating a known source of lead paint (not saying you are, and your report may indicate the opposite) you need to be licensed in lead safe practices or hire someone who is.