You should set strict screening criteria for what you are looking for in a potential tenant to steer away those who would just be wasting your time.BiggerPockets has recommended screening companies right on their site that you should do some research on to see what company best fits your screening needs. 

He steers his prospect to several $400,000 homes with swimming pools.

In general, unless you know the area well, and know there is some demand, and simply no one knew about the vacancies, I would steer clear. 

as a new agent you need to decide where you will hang your license,(broker), you dont work on your own, part of the idea is than an experienced agent will over see you and help you work,there are many companies out there, interview with a few, let them talk, most would rather hear themselves anyway, steer clear of more independents that boast letting you keep more, not for newbees, i started out with national chains till going to remax after many years, the chains will will have additional training for you, I also mentored two other agents after hitting elite status on nationals, be ready to give some of commission for mentoring, dont volunteer it up front, you will have many fees to pay starting out, sometimes you can also be an assistant to a major agent too, you will list thru a multiple listing service that other agents used to find houses, public too, they cost also for membership, on your own you cant list on craigs and do open houses, there are some who only list and some who only sell, and some inbetween, if you are lucky enough to get both sides, suggest you get someone else to take buyers side for transaction if you have iron clad relationship, or stay neutral, some list only to take buyers elsewhere, one house one sale, one house many buyers, what ever you do stay intouch with listings, plus with national agency lots of experience, lots of ads, national website, referrals,traing avail if you got in this to work from home and make a large commission right away you got sold, fees will eat you up, sales take time, money and experience, some get in it to buy their own, that is an option too, do lots of phone time, stay friendly with all in office, avoid politics of all kinds, do rentals to pay the fees, they can  turn into buyers, expect to make first listing within 3-6 months, sale 6 months, till up to speed, my standard was 2 of each a month, some more some less depend on season, can tell you stories.... doing floor time once had buyer walk in, said wanted to spend no more than 2, turns out was million, no one wanted to do floor time, also my first listing was a real frank loyd wright home, other agents would me give their rental lookers, be willing for all, I worked in area of NJ where a famous golf course is, was one of few that belonged to all 3 mls, so had advantage, a $1500 corp rental relocation will some day buy, get to know the relo person, we used to give nice gifts to clients, make it something they will see everyday not flowers or candy

In the future I will more than likely steer clear of this situation.The SFH renovation has been completed, rented out, and I am looking to begin refinance before the duplex begins rehab as I am trying not to deplete capital reserves during this COVID19 issue.

My realtor is trying to steer me away from FHA as well as Elmhurst, which makes me wonder about trying to find someone else.

Most investors, including almost all corporate investors, will steer far clear of such places.

All other things being equal, is this something I should look further into or is it something you'd recommend I steer clear of? 

I typically steer people away from these loans as they tend to not work out as well as people hope.

What is the lowest occupancy I can steer my screening to?