A little side note: A while back I seen a spreadsheet of Beverly Hills California mineral rights holders, a surprising amount of them live in Texas.It was for actively producing wells of Black Gold--Texas "T", and the checks are for a LOT more then $150 a month.https://www.youtube.com/watch?

No one has access to the results so there are no wrong answers. 

These properties would produce good value if purchased and flipped and I was wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences purchasing such properties when you can’t easily contact the current landlord?

If you're really lucky they are part of the listing package...so hopefully you get what you want before you make an offer.Sometimes you may have to sign a non-disclosure agreement to get them.Sometimes you may have to ask for what you want.Unfortunately in many instances they don't exist, the listing agent doesn't collect them, the owner hasn't kept or produced them, or just doesn't want to share them. 

One thing I can recommend, since you are a contractor, is to document the projects that you work on.. these can start build up your track record, show the results and your knowledge of the renovation process (which is essential for Flips and BRRRR).Lastly, based on your financial situation, more conventional financing might be a good idea to get the ball rolling. 

In the end, you are using lazy money to invest in real estate, making two returns on one dollar, getting tax benefits so you are likely not paying tax on your distributions or gains and investing in real assets that produce cash flow. 

Feel free to contact me if you are interested in investing in small multi family properties that are producing great monthly cashflow out of state.

Both lenders, particularly the conventional mortgage lender want the borrower/buyer to have personal capital “skin in the game” invested in the transaction3. 100% financing, if obtainable, usually result in negative cash flow, which means capital out of pocket from the owner each monthThat being said, “nothing down” purchases are done, but this depends on the definition of “nothing down”.

It depends on how you measure "deals are better"  Some of the measures access to entertainment & access to business corridors which results in low vacancy rates.

My wife though is a high producing broker who closed 28 million last year but she has no time for BP LOL.. anyway carry on.. but dont put me in the Broker box.