A tenant in a ground floor unit reached out over this past week asking if I would install a screen door as "the previous landlord had promised to put one in". 

@Andy BallesterThe only thing I could think of to make a bank more upset with you than turning on the utilities in one of their foreclosures after they said and/or implied no ... would be calling them on the phone and telling them you just bought one of their houses SubTo.

They apply and everything goes through as far as screening and we sign the lease and received the security deposit with the plan to move in March 1st.  

Screen, screen, screen and don't ever compromise just to get the rent checks rolling in. 

I don't want to speak to which strategy you should use for decreasing your costs, but I would recommend examining your tenant screening process if you are having to actually go through the whole eviction process that many times.  

I get a handful of leads every month through a website I've got set up, but lack the experience to feel confident on the phone. 

There are signs on the door with phone numbers to a management company which i've called and they don't manage it anymore.  

Just like fair market tenants you have to screen, screen, screen.

I mean, it can't be because you are not white, if you are talking to them over the phone before hand and give them your name.

Sometimes there is a rigorous screening process which makes it difficult for tenants to be approved.