There are over 10 major databases that store this information on landlords.

Id recommend reading the Ultimate Beginners Guide to Real Estate Investing by Brandon Turner, attend local REIA meetings regularly, and reach out the BP community with any questions and concerns you may have.

Track all of your expenses and income in report form and review them regularly with a couple of people you trust and understand your goals.  

Approval authorities are under regular review and are subject to adjustment.

If there aren't other offers on the table, they might not be willing to miss out on a buyer just for $5K.Also, is this a regular homeowner (non-investor)?  

The Bigger Pockets book store if full of great books: https://www.biggerpockets.com/store

See this as a great opportunity you can talk to your mortgage company and explain your situation, I am pretty sure they would rather have you rent out the home and pay your mortgage regularly than foreclosing because you could not pay. 

I'm finding stuff regularly off-market.

Martin and @Ryder Meehan have meetups in SF regularly.

We regularly accept applications before the home is rehabbed.