It is always difficult to start some new activity, but you have to do small steps to your goal - make savings, find a responsible real estate broker, get familiarized to all regulations and rules of successful investment strategy, so just prepare to face numerous difficulties, especially with regard to your situation.

Good deals attract good buyers no matter what source of list you are cultivating. 

If this is an attractive property, it's likely to attract a cash offer when the owner wants to sell.

Business as usual in my experience.Be very carful lowering your rent as all that will happen is you will attract lower quality applicants that you will likely regret.

Being new, I started with low rates, which attracted the wrong kinds of guests, who prey on new hosts, because we need reviews. 

Negotiated without agent, which made us look more attractive.

Numerous candidates and options for a June 1 lease date. 

I do think the lower price of power is attractive to tech and other industries, therefore, we'll continue to see that grow (T-mobile's here and several data farms just south of us in Grant County (~25 min drive).

with lease option.. you still have a tenant, and you're a landlord, with seller finance you're the bank..........in lease option, I hear tenant takes better care, higher down payment, higher payments, maybe even does some rehab work, and often doesn't even exercise option,, this is attractive..the con is I've heard, if they stop paying, its not a simple tenant eviction, and could be long and expensive a year or more...maybe there are ways to avoid this by not crediting rent payments to purchase..its still not clear yet to me...I'am attracted to try this on a property i own in raleigh....or maybe just try a first seller finance....any local I talk to, agents and attorneys, they say dont do lease option and scares the crap out of me.....Im not convinced though yet....but seems like seller finance is an easier exit strategy for cash flow control..

This city didn't start attracting younger talent for medical and tech until the late 90s and the growth has been slow and steady (up until recently).