Having said that, keep in mind "pigs get fed but hogs get slaughtered," so keep it reasonable. 

I've also used Philadelphia Fed Credit Union in the past, but they told me that they can't help me because the property has to be leased up.

Call on your neighbors if they aren't complying,, report their trash, their crap cars, their grass.. the overall curb appeal in the neighborhood will improve as well as the class of tenants.. help raise the bar.. and the rents..Photos of what's going on is fair way to approach the inspection department if you felt your being pressured.. but get in shape before you respond..

Navy Fed has other programs where you can do little to no money down but it's a higher interest rate.

He was asking 159,000 and would perhaps entertain owner financing.I want to stay in those areas as I will manage the properties myself and driving over 20 minutes to cut the grass or plow snow is not realistic for me. 

I just look for houses with high grass and that look in general disrepair/vacant.

With HELOC your rates will increase when fed increases the rate.

They didn't and now we have to replant the grass which isn't cheap (plus watering new grass this time of year has to happen several times a week).Do most landlords charge for yard repair if it was clearly stated in the lease that it was the tenants responsibility to take care of it?

I suggest you go to Broad, let them know they fed you a line of BS and ask for a full refund. 

@Steve Vaughan  one thing for certain once people understand how safe it is to own rentals in East Wenatchee there is going to be a huge run.. no forest fires maybe a grass fire and of course some blowing dust and sand.. but other than that one of the safest places to be for any kind of negative weather events.