There are afgents out there happy to work with investors and their creative ways of thinking so it will be hit or miss to find them.Good luck.

What strategies could I use to make an attempt to acquire one of these properties before they hit the MLS?

You get those 3 and you can hit the ground running.

per window.Remove or fix fence $500--$1500Tent Termites $1400Flooring about $2.50 per SF under airKitchen sink and granite estimate $$6500Bathroom $2500Electrical entire house wire with electric panel $3500New doors, locks, ceiling fans, wall plates for outlets and switches $1000Interior Paint $1500-1800Insulation $1000Drywall $6000K to redo drywall for 1200 SF house which is $5 SFThe best houses to remodel are houses with good roofs, good central air units, nice yards, no plumbing or electrical issues and NO swimming pool.

If you can get $1200/month and pull all of your cash out, I say you hit it out of the park.

Then, find contractors and get bids so that you can hit the ground running with remediation work after the tenants have vacated the property. 

It is a hit or miss.

They talked about the following method for those who don't want to be super active in real estate:Buy one house a year, ensure rent covers all expenses at a minimum Have each house on a 15 or 20 year noteOnce you hit year 16 or 21 (whatever you amortize the loan for), start doing cash out refinancesThis method only requires one house (more would work too) a year, and would greatly supplement or even provide a retirement.  

While these rental numbers sound high, my actual profit will be 50% once all expenses and cap x is accounted for and they both dont hit the 30k/year to transition off. 

Chris, I'm certainly biased, being an agent, but I think you've really hit the nail on the head.