It's also apparent we need to improve our tenant interview process.

Our office credentials include: Licensed Architect, Construction Supervisor License, Real Estate Salespersons, Certified Passive House Consultant (www.PHIUS.org); Home Improvement Contractor License, etc.I'm looking forward to connecting with like-minded investors/developers in this community.

My plan is to live in one unit, and rent out the other while making improvements to both units. 

I'm currently working with my Credit Union, but am open to other lending sources. 

Also I would suspect Within sfh that if an area close by is popular or up and coming you should see some uptick in demand for your sfh and you shouldn't see the fire sale mentality that you get every so often when one you have a unit in a condo type setting for example that you're trying to get rid of.I think it's a great idea for you that continue to take your time improve your skills and knowledge of Real Estate and then proceed forward once you have a greater level of comfort so kudos to you.

I have a relatively good credit score (780) and 20k in student debt. a good. 

the biggest issues are that the available tenant base drops dramatically around October and doesn't pick up again till the end of the school year.People are no different than animals in that regard.They want to be settled and hunkered down in a property before the school year and/or bad weather starts.Quality tenants with good financial backgrounds don't want to move their families in the middle of an icy,snowy winter for obvious reasons,and good college students have already started school in August.Many of the few available tenants will have questionable backgrounds like recent job loss,previous eviction,bad credit,difficult income verification and don't make 3 times the rent,criminal records,etc.   

Talking to the home seller is a most critical skill, see my BP blog "Make money without banks or credit" for how to talk to sellers.

Want to get feedback from the group.Here are the community statsMetro pop 280,000, up 12%since 2000, up 25% since 1990Unemployment 4.8%Median family income $53,000Median home price $101,00022 lots, 19 tenants, no POHAvg rent is $197, avg market rent $214 Rent includes city water, private septic, trash, lawnEstimated expenses are 49%I got a quote to sub-meter and requesting a $10,000 credit at closing so I can get that done when I purchase.

You could prescreen them, but most people aren't going to pay application fees or allow you to run credit, etc without seeing the place first.