I would never suggest this approach to others without first understanding their strategy and an understanding of risks involved.  

If I was looking for a pure tenant, and not a roommate, I would have definitely used a group showing approach, but because I wanted the chance to meet these people and find out if they were killers, I also needed to get to know them Finding a new roommate/tenant was an enjoyable experience.

It is also probably the more ethical approach.

For more money you could opt for multiple interior units for better heat/cooling of the bedrooms but at some point the cost will start to approach forced air HVAC.I think the tenants are mostly happy because they went from no AC to having AC. 

If you'd like to talk about the market in Yuma and discuss strategies and different approaches to getting started in REI in Yuma please get ahold of me.

I have to disagree with everyone who said that having a buyers agent is the best approach.

But this is the wrong approach.

I like the direct approach, it leaves the guesswork out of it and will get me some quick answers.Michael Seeker I hear you and agree.

What's the best way to approach this scenario so that I can get the properties under contract to wholesale them?

One approach, which is admittedly only a small hedge, is to re-fi in the near future if you can get a fixed rate.