Most tend to be in the 100K+ range, These tend to be better rental properties, as in Section 8 rentals, etc.

I have real estate agent contacts that check the proverbial fly traps daily (realtytrac, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Chase bank websites, Zillow, Craigslist, etc.

Is this a good strategy for a beginner and what traps or loopholes do you look out for in this kinda deal.         

Being trapped in a non-cash flow generating asset is not investing.

Which is addressed in section 6.(6) Advertises or holds self out as engaged in the business of selling, exchanging, purchasing, renting, or leasing real estate;

It also needed appliances and a few minor fixes, like broken toilet lids and leaky P traps.

I'm also certified in Section 8 property management/marketing.

We do not want to buy any properties in section 8, but rather in blue collar working class areas. 

If you are on the edge of a desert, it makes little sense to sod with {non native} grass species which require moisture levels above and beyond what Mother Nature supplies.Even way up here in the north east, we do not landscape our properties with non-native species - particularly non-native grass species and ornamental shrubs - many of which come from warmer climates further south and can be high maintenance given our winters and their lower resistance to {native} weeds and insects.

But small towns are also nosier than big cities. hahaAnd if you were looking to invest in SECT, we have some towns with large Asian populations.