Bonus points if you know of a loan product that would let you roll some repair/remodel costs up into the loan!

If you can find other ways to add value as well, then that's an added bonus.

(Bonus) Be patient!

Make sure to check with your local rules/regulations but you could also partner with investors in the area so the owners have the option to buy cash and you'd get a referral bonus from it. 

But guessing its not Public Improvement Districts, because if it is that is a bonus in my opinion.

Bonus points are available for those who can suggest some reading about those people and the topic in general.

As far as I'm concerned, positive cashflow is the price of admission for a long-term buy & hold and appreciation is a bonus.

Some bonuses to my suite is that they are all lockable doors and there are no carpets.

In fact, like Minh, I have personally rented to applicants with recent short sales and foreclosures and found them to be excellent long-term tenants so far.The fact that their credit has been dinged and other landlords may not want to rent to them is a bonus for me because it means they likely won't be buying (or even renting) anything else soon and will stay for a long time with me.

If you MUST get something out of it look for new account bonus and chase that, you could catch a few of them I'm sure.