You can always check quickly on zillow if it was publicly listed but it's time consuming.  

I am an entrepreneur and am currently an owner in a small business focusing on retail (consumer packaged goods).

I figure if going "direct to consumer" doesn't give me any solid leads my next step would be dealing with brokers.

I have zero experience with real estate beyond the houses we've bought and the reno on our current home, so my days and nights are consumed by education.

@Bill Gulley  never pay interest on credit cards.. or any other consumer debt.. if you like new cars like me.. pay cash or buy only when they have zero % financing which happens often.and then on your mortgages on rentals take all avaliable cash flow and pay them down.. cash flow on rentals unless your going to own hundred plus doors is best used to get to true financial freedom and that is zero debt.

This is how some insurance agents avoid going completely under when a consumer files a suit against an insurer.

Consumer loans to home buyers?

My county is fairly rural and all of the records are online.If you choose to go the free route and look stuff up, it can be cumbersome and time consuming.

Even if they do need repair or replacement while a tenant is living in the unit, its not that difficult or time consuming to get it done.

Ironically, I've offered that exact deal to a dozen people.