I've personally ridden my bike through the neighborhoods and seen properties.

You either get your money back plus interest or a deed to the property shows up in your mailbox with no additional work required.I got 3 properties last year. 2 houses and an acre of land.I sold one house as is with a QC deed, the other house my 2 adult sons have bought from me at cost.

This is counter-intuitive to my goal - slow and steady save to purchase our first investment property (with more to follow). 

It's a small property, and there's very possibility for a financial little upside to anyone who leases from you (no farming, hunting etc) so you're looking at annual type recreational or maybe 'off-grid' type tenant.

Local lenders will do better in terms of winning properties, but they don't have to be mom and pop.

Good time now that rates are falling and property values are ready to start another climb up.

Find a property that the seller is willing to finance for you, take a mortgage over subject to, find some investors willing to put the money up on a great deal.I am confidant that you will figure it out. 

I noticed one property where it seems that someone got a single mortgage with a legal description containing several properties.

Hi,In my old rental property I am not sure when roof replaced last time.

Your main point of interest seems to be knowing the equity in the property.