There are statistics and newspaper articles a plenty that will tell you the history of the last economic downturn in the town you've purchased in.

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.

I've gotten a one from a newspaper ad, FSBO.

i bought property at tax sale auction in Dekalb county Georgia, over 12 months ago, now i am doing barment, i published ad news paper, i sent 30 days notices to ex owners and all parties might have interest, and the property now it empty / unoccupied.my question is: if 30 days notice expired and no body redeemed, can i enter the property and start to fix / repair the property, and rent it??

I am 77 y/o now and use to love attending those meet-up when I started taking courses, seminars, buying programs, books and tapes in my 20'soften times i was asked to speak or hold a class on investingWrite down what questions you have and want answered.Tax salesWhat is Wholesalehow to best negotiate price with sellerhow to control properties with no cash or creditforming partnershipraising private moneybuilding a REIABefore you leave for this program run some ads in the newspapers (WANTED, houses, commercial all real estate, get on the mailing list of all Auctioneers in your area so that you'll have leads when you return to practice what you learnt.it is amazing how much money you can make in this business when you are prepared, BE READY with contracts (I like a Skinny form) have your check book in hand, and everything you need to inspect a property. 

Run an ad in the school newspaper ("Not to late to live off campus," Not to late to stop the commute"). 

Usually the local news paper will say so and sold their house at this address to so and so for a certain price.

@Bill Brandt when looking at news paper articles of dog attacks there are 2 head lines; 'Dog attack...' and '...attacked by pittbull.'

Heck do proof of life and show a dated newspaper or speak of a current event that happened to ensure it is that date. 

If so, take photos of it at your friend's house now with a time and date stamp (or include a recent copy of a newspaper showing the date in the photo).If what you said it true and they try to take you to court, they may end up paying because they have not acted in good faith and posted the house for rent and they've had plenty of time to do so.