I think you need to at least have your green card.  

I once owned an apartment complex where the tenants drank beer and played cards all day.

would I be able to get certificate of insurance with my company listed as additional insured-Do you have a business card with your company ?

I'm sure next I would have gotten a frantic email demanding that I buy new clothes and/or provide Wal-Mart gift cards for tenants because I failed to provide a washer and dryer.

If they did, I would give them a gift card but 2 weeks rent is probably significant for you.

I use the interactive map at the bottom of a zillow house and can at least see graphically what has sold recently and for how much and what is for rent and how much.So I can see if the area feels like a 50K area or a 70K area. 

Maybe even leave your business card or flyer on the door of the property letting them know you are interested in buying.  

My family have been in the card system laundry mat business for 25 years.  

I have a job that allows me to pay my bills comfortably and pay down a small portion of my student loans and credit card debt each month.

My other buddies' credits are not good (one from the bust, and another has a credit card issue in the past).