The credit limit is based on the equity in the property. 

If you close a credit card with no balance, all you're accomplishing is lowering your borrowing power by whatever the credit limit was.

I think the main issue you are going to find is that there is limited inventory there, just like everywhere else.

I realized I may struggle a bit with receiving my first loan (due to limited 2 year proof of income) for the type of duplex property I really want to pursue. 

If your portfolio is a good deal you won't have an issue finding buyers.If you truly have control of a package is one thing, if you are trying to play match maker with no real control, that is a weaker position.

You dont have to limit yourself to single family rentals, there are multifamily properties that you could get ahold of. 

I have obtained control of a property by using lease options, owner finance and subject to. 

If the main complaints are limited to battery life, I think I'm going to give these a whirl and report back.

I will be doing a 203K Limited FHA loan (no structural changes).

As a self proclaimed control freak I can't stomach investing heavily in stocks and letting outside forces dictate my wealth