Thanks for sharing.I do most of the same but I do not want them to apply.I takes to much effort to review the app prior to pre screening.Every potential tenant has to answer prequal questionnaire first.Then the visit is scheduled for those that qualify.Then the app, if they appear to be most qualified based on their answers and initial in person screening.Just like a job interview.

The wife is currently working with charities/governement programs to help them with the rent but there is no update yet.As of right now, the husband still has not been released from prison. 

As I look to purchase my first property, my fear and nerves are constantly keeping me from obtaining this milestone..with my biggest fear being estimating rehab costs initially.

Here are my initial thoughts on your post.

Good for you for having the initiative to do something at such a young age!

Zillow and realtor should be your initial go to. 

I wouldn't want to shoot myself in the foot by trying to increase rent too hard too fast and create vacancies right off the bat, but I need to make sure I get some return in the initial stages. 

Initially, I was planning on starting with single family homes because that’s what seemed easiest based on the information that I’ve accumulated over the last couple of years.

Get yourself some better ones this time.Remember this is a business, not a charity - think with your head, not your heart.

Initially I was thinking of buying a house.