If it is a specific list of home owners within an area(s), then I would rather create a personalized postcard campaign raising their pain points and you providing them benefits and credibility so prospect will call you.  

The costs run 3-4 points + 8-12% interest only payments depending on your experience/credit/property.    

She had checked out good, job & credit wise, but had personal issues that you can't screen for.

Because I'm planning on living in the property, would tax benefits am I subject to?

I'm currently working with my Credit Union, but am open to other lending sources. 

I have a relatively good credit score (780) and 20k in student debt. a good. 

the biggest issues are that the available tenant base drops dramatically around October and doesn't pick up again till the end of the school year.People are no different than animals in that regard.They want to be settled and hunkered down in a property before the school year and/or bad weather starts.Quality tenants with good financial backgrounds don't want to move their families in the middle of an icy,snowy winter for obvious reasons,and good college students have already started school in August.Many of the few available tenants will have questionable backgrounds like recent job loss,previous eviction,bad credit,difficult income verification and don't make 3 times the rent,criminal records,etc.   

Talking to the home seller is a most critical skill, see my BP blog "Make money without banks or credit" for how to talk to sellers.

Want to get feedback from the group.Here are the community statsMetro pop 280,000, up 12%since 2000, up 25% since 1990Unemployment 4.8%Median family income $53,000Median home price $101,00022 lots, 19 tenants, no POHAvg rent is $197, avg market rent $214 Rent includes city water, private septic, trash, lawnEstimated expenses are 49%I got a quote to sub-meter and requesting a $10,000 credit at closing so I can get that done when I purchase.

Or are you an investor that wants the benefits offered by being a Realtor?