I don't qualify for standard financing so this feels like it's my only option.

It is standard for a title company to insure the lender and/or the buyer in the majority of transactions in the US.If a title company believe you will become a real estate investor and use their services over and over, all the better.  

You'll likely have to create/modify a standard buyer commission agreement.

Let them know what your expectations are. also let them know how you will handle things like rent increases and late charges.

You can also focus on NC, GA, TX, AZ, NV, VA, MO to just name a few other Non-judicial states.Don't be scared of judicial states because often times, values will increase on your assets while you are going through the foreclosure process and you'll be in a better deal by the end.  

should be standard verbiage in your deed of trust.. look for the fine print

Home prices increased the most in Oregon (11.7 percent), Washington (10.3 percent), Colorado (10.2 percent), Florida (10.0 percent) and Nevada (9.6 percent).

LOLI don't know much about market cycles (I need to learn) but I feel that something like RE can't keep increasing in prices at current rates while the rest of the economy is going at a slower pace.

The NOI will increase due to increased rents.

Another advantage of higher priced homes, is the power of leverage and the tenant paying off a higher amount of principal payments each month which increases your equity at much higher rates than for cheap homes