I think your best bet is motion sensitive cameras and lights - and if you have a house across the street put them there too so you can get two angles. 

But why would I take this tenant with poor credit score and willing to put down $16K vs a better qualified tenant with way better credit score and paying rent every month? 

Current rates are in the 4's on a 30 year fixed, so not heinous and since you don't qualify for conventional financing, this is your next best bet. 

Best bet might be regional banks.

Full appraisals post pandemic are few weeks out so desk appraisals are your best bet right now.

Your best bet is to find one agent who is a good fit for you, and work with that person exclusively.

I think your best bet for buying foreclosures with a loan is actually buying PRE-foreclosures (Before the auction date).

I've always been interested in investing and like to absorb as much information as possible related to finance since I grew up in a poor family and have been on my own since 17 years old.

If you want immediate cash flow CA is not the best bet.

I am reading  rich dad poor dad, and listening to BP podcasts.