I am sticking to the enemy method.

It will also help you when getting contractor bids since they will then all be bidding on the same repair method. 

Are there any others out there that are purchasing these in more of a "systematic" method like this, or have in house staff to help with purchasing and rehab?

It's the most efficient methods for finding motivated sellers.

PS love your blog and ebook is awsome nice to see someone using different methods to acquiring BIG properties.

As @Race Ostler said, Utah county is booming, and the buy and hold method will surely bring in some appreciation.  

What are some effective methods to familiarize oneself with the market of an area?

Education, lead generation methods or funding opportunities?

The info on the web, and youtube.....which are American, paint a much brighter picture for these methods of transaction. 

Then I pull the file, confirm real estate was inherited, and add the petitioners info to my marketing list.One problem I see with this method is that if I search a county other than suffolk (say, middlesex) I won't know which assessor's database to look up to see if they owned real estate.. and pulling every file to check for real estate would be madness.I've also head checking obituaries, but I would think they won't end up in probate for awhile after that so I'm still hazy on who you would know who to market toIf anyone has any insight into this process in the MA / Boston area it would be much appreciated