It’s true that they could lie on their profiles but it’s probably a good first step to sift through the comments and put the comments of those who are really opinionated, yet have not had much personal success with real estate, aside and give more weight to the comments of those who really know what they are talking about.Here is a list of some people on BiggerPockets whose opinions I listen to closely and value because they have fruit on the tree.

You have to sift through the noise and eventually you find a few diamonds in the rough.  

And yes there are PLENTY of Section8 tenants that meet all of this criteria, it's literally a matter of sifting through the BSers,...which leads to the background check.I also place in the ad that there is a $35.00 nonrefundable background check that they will pay that will need to be done on everyone that is over 18 years old that would potentially be living at the property and I make sure they are OK with that in the text message also.

Find a BRIGHT EYED- FULL TIME- NEW REALTOR and tell them you want a automated email every day with1) New Listings.2) Price Reductions3) Foreclosures, Estate, and Corporate ownedKeep sifting and you will find deals..

Your time is important and you need to sift out that junk as quickly as you can.

This way during tax time, all your income and expenses will be in one place and you won't have to sift through a personal bank account that has rental items buried throughout.

While sifting through properties, I see huge differences in price, with some land in the low tens of thousands, and some over $1.5 million.

HI Chad,If you're going to drop $30,000 to $50,000 on something permanent, it might be smart to have an architect or landscape architect draw it up, and if you want a better shot at (1st) class workmanship, hire a GC who does this for a living.Not saying the workmen you find won't do a 1st class job, or use 1st class materials, but an industry pro should be able to sift through the DUDS and self-proclaimed experts better than the average homeowner.Also, asking an architect or landscape architect who does homeowner pools which subs are good for which trades might yield a better short list.Do you know what a "Slump Test" is.  

You have to sift through alot of sand to finally find that gold. 

Agreeing with the posts here--Your first time, expect to have to pay a little more to get estimates and sift through a few contractors.