Yes, that's the preferred technique.

I would prefer art museum/fairmount area.

I can see both sides, but I'd like to hear from people who have tested this (preferably someone in Frederick County, or Maryland in general but all are welcome).Directly stating the sellers situation may irritate them or produce the question "How did you get this information?"

Is there any software, preferably free but I'll consider anything that can help me with this?

I generally prefer to do it this way because the fee can be passed on to the tenant and you can set it up to automatically apply late fees if the tenant is late.

Lenders sometimes get in on this game too, alas (especially if it's new construction and you took the bribe to use the builder's "preferred lender" - that's the whole point of the bribe to use that lender!).

Would landlords prefer to purchase a single family homes that have tenants that are locked into a year lease or month to month?

Every one has their own taste and my preference is for a multifamily.  

The Keller Williams Preferred on 120th and pecos is great.

LS is my typical go-to but I was curious as to whether someone preferred to use another source...