$25 monthly pet fee in addition to the regular rent for no more than one dog.No cats allowed.

There is a great group of people that regularly attend and I am sure you will get some questions about the Columbus market so you will fit right in.

Further, I make very little money on my regular job, so my debt to income ratio disqualifies me for conventional financing.

However, it's true that I have a great fear of not earning enough fast enough and regular conforming rates rising too high for my sweet spot for new purchases.  

In this process I keep investors from out of town posted on developments however regularly they want them. 

This will drastically mitigate your risk, while also allowing you to diversify across multiple properties, as well as having a regular stream of selling and buying cycles.

From what I can determine, these folks are working a regular job with personal houses, families, etc. and aren't rolling in dough.So BP, how do these individuals do this?

It is just easier with a partner who is also local who can view the property with me on a regular basis as well as help with purchasing materials, etc. 

I do this pretty regularly in other markets. 

I, personally, don't know why they don't just make flood and other disasters simply a required part of all regular homeowners insurance for any insurance company wanting to do business in the US.