My method is to message (text, phone, email etc.) landlords who have posted to local classified sites looking for tenants, and ask if they would consider selling their rental property.

That's not a method I'm familiar with, and a quick google search brought me to many MANY pages where they tried to sell me the system without really explaining to me what the system is.

Or any methods I can use that can help me locate them?

My thought behind doing this would be twofold:1) I can deduct my home improvement expenses (cleaning, painting, remodeling).2) I can deduct the business loss from my personal incomeCan I do this?

I was told by the inspector that I should clean out the vent periodically because the lint can't travel all the way to the roof and will fall back down and collect inside the vent.

I have never gotten complaints from previous tenants about the dishwasher not cleaning the dishes.  

I think this is a positive move for the city and will help clean up some of the areas and subsequently increase values. 

Imagine asking a real estate agent to only accept a 1% commission because you'd like to pay less and have more equity in the house ;) Both turnkey and traditional methods are great, but for different reasons.

Tenant is responsible for keeping the house clean, open windows and shades.

I recently purchased my second property using the BRRR method and am currently looking at doing a cash out refinance.