I've met brokers who think that all discrimination against tenants/applicants (ex: "you can't be treating people differently"... and they include criminals with violent history) is illegal.

Violent offenders and sex offenders are almost always an automatic denial, although there may be circumstances where I would allow them.

Here  Send mailers to out-of-state landlords of multifamily housesSend mailers to absentee owners of single family housesSend mailers to vacant land owners (only in specific areas in the path of growth)Place “We Buy houses” flyers/business cards at unemployment offices….a lot of people there could be having trouble with their homes and may need a solutionOne-page Flyers posted on bulletin boards at large storesPost ads on craigslist stating, “We Buy houses”Send emails to craigslist ads with properties for rent (the emails will go to landlords who may be looking to sell, or buying more properties)Mailers to specific zip codes, asking if they want to sell or know someone who doesMailers to divorce attorneys who can refer clientsMailers/emails to FSBOsBuy a “leads list” of landlords from AgentPro247 or RealQuestPost ads on Backpage stating “We Want To Buy Your Property”Send mailers to properties purchased between 3k-20k within last five years (the owner might be a novice flipper who never did anything with the property)Send mailers to Estate/Probate Attorneys (if you have an attorney, consider having them send the letter, because attorneys tend to open mail from other attorneys)Bandit signs: “We Buy Houses”Send mailers to owners who have owned for 15 years or more (these properties tend to be owned free and clear, which means they could be much more flexible with their sales price)Send mailers to people facing foreclosureTarget people who own vacant homes – these are almost always ripe for purchasing at a discountTarget people who are dealing with financial chaos of any sortSend ads/mailers/business cards to Credit Repair Agencies & Credit CounselorsTarget HUD/VA ForeclosuresPurchase leads lists of folks who inherited homesSend mailers to people arrested for violent crimes (going to prison for a long time)Send Mailers/ads/business cards to RealtorsSend mailers to employees who have been laid off (ie “corporate downsizing” in the news)Networking with other investorsLocate list of section 8 approved properties—send mailers to the ownersPost Newspaper classified ads: We Buys housesSend mailers to Properties with liens: Mechanics Liens, HOA Liens, Tax LiensContact sales people at new home subdivisions (their clients will want to sell their OLD houses) or place a sign near a new home subdivisions that say “Sell Your House Fast” with your phone number.

It competes with the most notoriously violent areas in San Diego (I lived there 5 years and my house took bullets as did my closest friend's house no where near my house). 

Some have been violent drug dealers who commit arson and prostitute their children, and moved out because they were running from other drug dealers. 

For me, it's must make three times rent in gross monthly income, no history of evictions, no violent offenses or felonies.

Statistically in Florida a police officer is 3 times more likely to commit a violent crime than a licensed CCW holder. 

We do not do violent crime background checks, non-violent financial crimes are all we really care about.

I won't rent to a violent criminal.

The wife decided to date and move in a violent gang member with a criminal past and the rest is history!