There are a few additional research tools that I use that may not be as well know that I thought I'd share. 

Anyone know if something has changed that has drastically reduced the properties they list?

@Ryan Wright  When banks calculate your DTI ratio, they include the additional debt you will be taking on.  

Our buy and hold strategy is purely for income supplementation and to leverage into additional buy and hold strategies.

They basically come out the same if you leverage on both sides and then never take additional action.

In addition to the tools listed, I use Google maps to also learn an area. 

Create additional columns to the right of your leads with your mailing dates as the headings.  

Have any of you experienced this and know of an effective way to prevent the additional waste?

Figure out what you have into the property for total cost and than run a highest and best use analysis.This should tell you whether to rehab what is there or tear it down and build something new with the same asset class or a totally different asset class ( commercial, etc.).Additionally once you find out the highest and best use then look at the TIME required to develop that use and receive income from it or sell off.Some people will get the fire department to do a "controlled burn" on the property and use it as a fire exercise.

To your question, I think you have reduced some of the risk by going Owner Occupied.