I have been trying to gain access to a HELOC, but am having difficulties because I am just outside the DTI requirements.  :(  That is my plan though!

I tried to finance the property with one bank, a big one many of you know of them they are advertised on Bigger Pockets constantly.  

Canada has, to a limited extent, access for criminal screening for landlords as do some other countries.  

Lock em up, get access and photos, market to sellers, create value and get paid. 

If you're the type constantly sitting on the fence watching, and needing to be ready to pounce on a deal at any moment, this might not be the best idea unless the goodies from those points outweigh your rate being a little higher (or if the goodies will be for enough to buy the rate back down to what it would be if your FICO wasn't bruised).Please don't do this, have a tanked FICO score, and then b-tch to your lender that you don't have the sexiest interest rate there is.

So there's quite a bit of time that goes by before you know whether you have access to title or not?  

I constantly hear people saying they wish they hadn't signed up for the big dollar guru programs but rather signed up for their local Real Estafe Investment Association club.

An investor friendly REALTOR ;) should have access to like minded contractors. 

I think getting your license is a must, it doesn't mean you have to work with any buyers and sellers but having it allows you the opportunity to send referrals and get paid for it, not to mention the massive benefits of having direct MLS access and ease of access to properties as well.

Note, your money will have been tied-up this entire time without having access to the home.Look-up "redemption period" to confirm some of these statements.