The previous owner was a DIY guy--not my jam. - Trash Services:  The previous owner made the tenants take their own trash to the landfill. 

They have been gracious enough to not charge me rent while I save.I want to get into real estate, but even a simple 3/2 home is $220k+ (at the bare minimum) in the area that I am living.The rental rates would most likely be $1400 monthly for that home.

One bad deal at the beginning can be devastating, one bad deal after numerous successful exits can be a simple lesson.

If you are looking for a way to sort the wheat from the chaff, ask this simple question:  "When this property sells, who will sign the deed?" 

@Patrick Thomas Dickinson the simple (and only) answer is to buy as many doors as possible in the most stable and growing market you can find...this would take on the form of a small multifamily property...probably in the 8-12 unit range within 20-minutes of a major metro city....you can find this in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Raleigh-Durham, Nashville, Indianapolis, and other comparable cities...they key is finding the property...C-class value add with a strong property manager and you're off to the races...5-year hold with improvements made, operating expenses lowered, and income driven higher means your valuation will come back with enough equity to pull and repeat the process.

@Di Ye Whatever you do and whatever your method of screening... you must remain consistent!

I also wanted to keep it KISS (keep it simple stupid) and focus on one region. 

Hello ManatuaSomething simple that you can do is contact a local real estate agent and ask them to pull the local comps for you, by doing so you can develop a business relationship with him\her for a future deals and as a local fiduciary. 

It was simple.

You can get as simple, or as complicated as possible.I wouldn't recommend 50/50.   40/40/10 is better.