I also research the market -- via municipal websites and local online newspapers, mostly -- to get a sense of what's going on to create its strong tailwinds.

There's a title company in town that says they specialize in tax sale title searches, so they can provide all interested parties that need to receive notice.Is it as easy as finding a template, copying and pasting parcel and owner information, sending out certified letters and taking out a newspaper ad? 

If you get a good deal (courthouse step auction, local newspapers, or just happen to come across a home the seller desperately needs to sell), I'd say go for it with traditional financing if you have the cash - NOTE that you probably can't finance courthouse auctions the same way you would a move-in ready home.

I put ads all over Craigslist Andrew rental services, but the two people who seems serious so far came from an ad in the local newspaper!.

You can also buy lists from companies like list source and there are some REI software companies that have a cash buyer search feature.Best way to find motivated sellers is to purchase lists and compile lists from city and county for 60-90-120 days late on mortgage, pre-foreclosure, delinquent taxes, water cutoff, code violation, probate, divorce, high equity, etc. and mail or cold call.Other methods are driving for dollars, door knocking, wholesalers, craigslist, Realtors, FSBO sites, expired listings, foreclosure sites, put out bandit signs, billboards, newspapers, other offline publications.You can use pay per click/adwords, facebook, Linkedin, Youtube, and other forms of online and social media.

Main metro newspaper. 9 calls should equal 1 deal.

I subscribe to the local newspaper or free paper online, receive daily newsletters, ask my agent about the news around town for real estate, roads, new employers etc.

I've been finding deals on the MLS, hudhomestore.com, networking with real estate agents locally, Trustee sales listed in the newspaper, some wholesalers with deals and what Brandon Turner calls "Driving for Dollars."  

Just wanted to share a huge success and thank, BiggerPockets for inspiration and motivation.Here is a link to the newspaper article giving a brief story of my shipping container project.There is more to the story but it's getting late and I got to hit the gym in the morning. 

You can also buy lists from companies like list source and there are some REI software companies that have a cash buyer search feature.Best way to find motivated sellers is to purchase lists and compile lists from city and county for 60-90-120 days late on mortgage, pre-foreclosure, delinquent taxes, water cutoff, code violation, probate, divorce, high equity, etc. and mail or cold call.Other methods are driving for dollars, door knocking, wholesalers, craigslist, Realtors, FSBO sites, expired listings, foreclosure sites, put out bandit signs, billboards, newspapers, other offline publications.You can use pay per click/adwords, facebook, Linkedin, Youtube, and other forms of online and social media marketing.