Right now, I have about $6800 in credit card debt, another $6000 on a Home Depot card, and a $21,000 personal.

I am rebuilding my credit since family problems took a toll on my finances and I want to take control of my life.

With new construction, you can spend a long time just preparing for the build (dealing with subdivision, zoning, permits, drawings, etc) before the work even starts. 

We are also preparing to be self employed (Realtor and PM), which will cause a new level of complications.  

Would a foreign tax credit work?

With bad credit and little to no cash, what steps must I take to attain a rental property

I hope this is a great deal be prepared for a possible hold over or eviction!

Show them that you are prepared to buy.

Your education has also prepared you to analyze cycles and this point in the market is not an easy entry for passive investors not willing to be a small part of a much larger endeavor.In your case I'd be looking to real estate more as a tax hedge that will build substantial cash flow over time while delivering substantial depreciation and tax benefits from day one. 

The upside of office is that if you get a credit tenant you can sign to a long-term lease, you have a solid rental stream.