Ones that have the financial credibility, but are just short on their credit scores.

As a hard money lender you will lend on the value of the deal and not on the credit score of the person that you are lending to. 

I have cash & credit but no real world knowledge on how to find deals.  

It sounds like it use to be a little clunky back in the day, but has improved - but couldn't find any recent discussions on BP about Rent Monitor specifically.  

Preferably a local bank or credit union.

I paid the mortgage off years ago but do have an equity loan and line of credit on it in my name.I am looking to find a good group to work with and partner with as i begin, and my goal is in 3-5 years to be able to match my monthly net income, although i have no idea how it will all work so thats very tentative.I do know in the end i would like to have a net income that will allow me to leave my day job or be able to supplant it if for some reason it were lost. i am really driven to succeed at this.

David Stone , a traditional bank will look at your debt to income, credit score, and they will not consider the rent from the duplexes as income usually until you've been a landlord for two years, they will also want 20% down, plus closing costs, plus slightly higher investor interest rate, plus probably want you to prove you have 6 months of cash reserves or equivalent marketable securities.

He estimates to spend an additional $58k over the next 10 years for maintenance and capital improvements. 

Divorce,death,bad tenant,behind on payments and facing foreclosure and bad credit?

I am newbie here who has heard real estate is a great way to build long term wealth.I would like to get started but with a bad credit  history I find it extremely diffcult.Still the financial longevity well not only be statisfying but the peace as of mind will put me at ease.