A mortgage broker will have access to many lenders.

What is a good strategy to find landlords that wish to acquire properties to rent to students in college towns? 

Where am I able to access the national database of all property records for free (e.g. address, homeowner, zipcode, etc)? 

Some of the advantages I see are access to the MLS, ability to see properties quicker and make offers quicker, and the opportunity for continuing education. 

Does it make sense to access the funds to buy another property even though it brings my first properties cash flow down? 

The comps are accurate but since I have MLS access I use that for my comps because there are pics.

I'm in Cleveland and I do access to quite a bit of off market properties, also Columbus is pretty hot right now too.

They can get access to so much more in a house TIC than a condo, not to mention much less fees and sensible housemate-like rules.What do you guys think?

Since, I can't access my VA loan for another few years, don't have enough capital at the moment (actively working on that now), and haven't found anyone to partner up with/figured out a creative financing strategy just yet...I do commit to investing my time in learning, reading, and listening to as much as I can possibly absorb every single day in the mean time.

The sooner you can acquire the better.