My name is Tom, I work in oil and gas in Northern Colorado.

My initial worry is that in a market like Colorado Springs the rent-to-price ratio won't be conducive to cash flowing properties, especially with very little money down.

as Scott mentions above, most of these REITS are invested in commercial properties, but behind these commercial holding enterprises are regular people, patrons, workers etc all trying to make ends meet during challenging times.    

We are looking to invest in Kansas City MO and currently reside in Colorado.

So I'm able to close right now on a co-op here in NYC and my rate lock on the mortgage expires next week. 

SSI, service workers, students, section 8, other??

I've had my current job for 2 1/2 yrs making 75K per year and have a clean background but before I had my current job I was unemployed for a while and ended up filing for bankruptcy causing my credit to take a huge nose dive (sub 500 range). my Question is: to avoid the credit requirement (I wouldn't be able to find a co-signer) would I be able to put an entire lease down as a security deposit and pay my rent as usual so long as my income qualified?

I was able to lease out two properties this past week (with leases starting this weekend) to excellent tenants with stable jobs (food distribution worker/ truck driver, healthcare worker/industrial contractor). 

They see all the paperwork and panic not knowing that most paperwork can be found online and the title co/RE attorney takes care of the big stuff. 

The contractor let me know last week they could not continue as they were having a problem getting the workers and some parts to get the electric hooked up the the new HVAC unit.