I am new to this site so I apologize if this has been discussed previously. 

The title search will have the updated information and MLS and online sources can typically be behind and not up to date. 

Hard to believe that people are still living like this, especially here in my own home state.First Video That Got It All StartedAfter watching that video some friends got to talking and my buddy went down to look at the job site today.

Crud, that goes on a different site.

I’ve been trying to analyze listings on the usual sites and what I receive from a real estate agent.

Contact the CHA program and show them that you were the owner as of X date, and they MAY deduct those rents from his next payment and send it to you.

What I find is that the banks just want too much money for houses that need too much rehab.Is there some way other investors are getting access to properties that aren't on the MLS, or these common sites I mentioned? 

If you want to do it on your own you will need to use those sorts of sites.

The number of missed payment is the biggest hit to your credit, but an actual foreclosure or short sale is another hit.As to financing again later, at least fannie mae treats a BK followed by a foreclosure as "One event" being the date of the BK discharge. 

BiggerPockets is a great site to get started learning about real estate investing.