We were cleaning up sheetrock when a couple walking down the street and they asked if they could take a look.

When we had property in another state we used a property manager to screen tenants (and she actually did a poor job at it since our last tenants left our rental so filthy, we needed three cleaning companies to get it good enough to sell)  We have a lot of set parameters that we indicate in writing to prospective tenants. 

The inspection failed first time because of a vent that wasn’t covered, a couple of non-grounded outlets, and some chipped paint.

As long as your description is detailed, pictures are professional/clean, and your rental is priced fairly, you should begin to get lead calls!

Growing up my parents had a few rentals so I had some background, but my involvement mostly consisted of helping to clean, paint, repair, etc. to get the house ready for a new tenant. 

Then, due to non-payment, evict.

It is my understanding that for investment condos, we can expect 6%+ interest rates if we insist on a 30 year fixed rate from the few lenders who will even consider non-warrantable condos.

It may help lower the cash requirement as closing if it can be negotiated that the seller pay all of the non-lender closing costs and then the maximum amount of closing cost contribution toward the lender's closing costs allowed by the lender.

Are there non-licensed people that have success stories? 

My state is a non judicial state so you can place an offer on a house before it goes to auction because techinally the seller still "owns" the house.