My concern with this is, I don't want them to be in a pre-2008 scenario to where the value of their property drops 25-40% a yer or two after they buy and then they get stuck.However, with the same token, my other concern is that as we sift through properties, prices keep going up.

Let's look at finding deals . . . . . . . for single and  multifamily1)  Track listings on MLS (being your own agent is helpful so you can act fast, but not for everyone)2) For multi family, I would also watch LoopNet or Costar3) get on a lot of wholesalers list and sift through the junk to find the gem 4) Attend local REIA meetings and get to know the players and let them get to know you, they might have a pocket listing.5) Direct mail potential sellers in areas you want to buy -  - code violation lists (I send about 1000 pieces of mail a month)- probate (or even obit records for all deceased owners of property) - look for deceased owners of duplexes and send letters- direct mail probate attorneys who might have families dealing with rental properties- direct mail nursing homes - caseworkers who help families transition- farm specific areas where you want to buy and direct mail the absentee owners.- know of a group of properties you would really like, keep telling the owners of your desire to buy and when they sell, they will call you first (most good duplexes sell this way to friends or contacts that connected with the owner) they don't often get listed for sale, they sell to family or friends.

Once you get an idea of what type of RE investment suits your needs (ie. financial standing, time constraints, risk tolerance, etc.) then the amount of information you need to sift through and absorb will be greatly diminished.

If you don't have the time or inclination to start marketing to motivated sellers and sifting through the results and negotiating, you may still be able to get a great deal on an REO or a wholesale deal - buy from someone who has done that work to get a property under contract at a great price, then just pay them for that piece of the work.

While I can manipulate the data using the basic filters, there is still a considerable amount of sifting through dated postings that are no longer current or available.Has anyone else experienced this, or found a better way?

As a passive investor in TK asset category, all the "sifting through the minutia" work is done for you.  

A lot of folks will steer you away from education other than sifting through these forums and blog posts.

All I can say to someone else that is in my shoes looking to take the plunge sift through this site.

The idea here is that the website will take their info and my partner and I will be able to sift through the properties in search of potential fix & flips. 

Without some cycle of tenants, capital improvements, and maintenance the blogger is speaking of Theory and I feel should not be looked to as a "credible expert", but could still have valid points, ideas, or opinions.Like a lot of things, blog posts need to be sifted through to find the gems that will assist each of us to move forward.