Our thought is that by buying rental properties, and improving our portfolio we will have a lot better borrowing power.

I don't want to be rude, but I have to learn to cut them off politely.I thought may be having it on the MLS might improve the odds of finding a more "decent" long term tenant?

You see the FCRA is a federal law passed and amended to improve the quality and accuracy of background checks while protecting the privacy and civil rights of all parties. 

It would definitely be nice to have someone I can trust help with the process of a flip, or just general improvements. 

For me, when I got started it was a) access to cheap private capital (family & friends), b) a willingness to house hack and live with roommates, c) location in a city with a cheap real estate inventory, and d) a friend who was also investing and could help me with some contractor contacts.Yours will be different, for example maybe you know a certain area of the city very well and can recognize underpriced MLS properties, or you have the time to send out direct mail and take phone calls, or you have the temperament to knock on doors of potential sellers, or you are very handy and can save money on the rehab, or you have a very long-term investment horizon so you can buy in marginal areas, or you love networking and can convince someone to JV a deal... you get the idea.  

I'm in no rush (I have my plate full in the short-term improving what I have), but in the next year or so I'll need to break through the door barrier if I want to meet my long-term goals.

This method works for me because my rents cover the cost of paying the loan and operating expenses, plus setting aside 10% of the rents for capital improvements and 5% for repairs.  

Two things you need in the land business is good inventory and a way to find buyers.

There are also great tac advantages to owner occupying the house you flip for 2 years so it gives you time to do all the needed projects and enjoy the house as it improves..

Yes, I've become skeptical with tenants ever trying to improve their condition.