Once I feel I have an appropriate rent price, I require all of my prospective tenants to complete an application through an online credit check & tenant application website.  

Its an online community similar to Bigger Pockets, but the topics are on all types of investments/finance (rather than just RE) and it's specifically geared towards towards doctors. 

We are sitting on 19 units right now and yes the headaches will drive some people out of the game.

If they have an online archive you may be able to search the address there.

They have a positive online reputation.

Usually when someone is interested enough to send me a message, I respond with  a link to my online application and request they fill it out.

Gotta be in it for the long game.

I’m a house flipper and one of the reasons I am currently studying to get my license is because I no longer like playing the waiting game for my realtor.

I would say, focus on a market you know, out of state and multiple states might not be a good idea when you are just a beginner unless you choose the market you used to live, go to college, grew up, etc, a market you know.Play the devil's advocate game with a friend that's an investor and you should be able to find what you are comfortable doing.

You'd be far better off to see if your county has public access to mortgages in arrears notices notices online somewhere, and pursue the preforclosure route, as best as I can tell.