I don't know if it would be cheaper to upgrade the unit, get a regular AC unit or just buy two more for the other bed rooms.  

Try BP (they sell them), or you can get from other sources on line. 

I was looking at my long term plan the other day (which I drew up in 2013) and realized it is going to be an impossibility in the northern Virginia market because returns are so slim.I love Richmond and while I'm not crazy about long distance investing and property managers, I know there's a lot of potential in that market.Bottom line, I'm looking for stable, low vacancy SFH's in the $100-120k range, in up and coming areas, which rent for about 1%/month, and I plan on using a management company.

I still wouldn't have agreed with you, but at least wouldn't have thought you wanted someone with 1,000 plus doors to just give them to next 10 people in line who didn't put in any effort to get them.

When I checked originally to open the line, they had the best rates to begin with.

Three bed, two bath, pretty good school district, rents around $1200.What happened to the rental prices of those types of properties during those lean years (2008-2012 or so)?

Your question does not seem to relate to your subject line.

Do backup offers ever end up working and in what scenarios could my offer come to the front of the line??

Do backup offers ever end up working and in what scenarios could my offer come to the front of the line??

But be sure not to be too cheap on furnishings, bedding, electronics, etc... obviously be smart, but putting the cheapest stuff, or bare minimum will not get you contracts like a vacation rental would.