2) how many offers did you put in before you secured your first house? 

I was looking at a development investment in a mining town in Western Australia (WA) (structured and managed by a 3rd pty) but held off last year as job security was somewhat uncertain and had a little one (now arrived) on the way.  

That's the issue with "wholesalers" they don't do anything an agent can not do and they grossly overcharge, dipping into the owner's equity in residential transactions.I would not balk at 15% in commercial transactions and I'm not putting Joey the flipper in a commercial category, where commercial transactions involve sophisticated parties. 

I also tell them their lease will be upheld, and list what the rent is and the security deposit is, along with the end date to make sure we are all in agreement.  

IMO, nailing small lenders will be more profitable than workmen's comp claims or social security disability claims, which have limitations.The CFPB also as an education department, once that is in place they will begin public information activities.

LandlordsFor many landlords of homes, they want tenants that are neat and tidy, pay the rent on time, and don’t call at 2:00 am for backed up toilets.So I generally act like a prospective tenant and walk through the property.Most do-it-yourself landlords are very sophisticated, business like, and I just use this “one what if statement with them,”“Bill let me thank you for walking me through the property, looks like it’s in great shape, I just have one question for you, and if you say no to it I understand, but if you say yes then maybe we can talk about it in more detail, so here’s the question,“What if I could get you 24 payments at 1100 dollars which is what you want for the rent, and then you would allow me to buy the house, at a price that you can live with, and at a price I could live with.With that be something we should even talk about or maybe not?”

I agree with @Dick Rosen.All of my rents are due on the 1st as well, but I have some long term tenants who get Social Security. 

"the risk that you would take in such an arrangement is complimentary to the risk that the seller is taking in trusting the buyer to protect his credit by actually paying the bills" and that's where we as investors have the option to walk away from a deal when our position in any investment isn't secured. 

I refinanced two US properties in 2013 and secured one new loan this year all through Wells Fargo.  

You stated that you have poor credit, and therefore can't secure a loan.