I bumped into 2 properties in the past few weeks which were oddly placed - actualy hidden - behind other properties.

Three layers of linoleum installed in this gem but once you (and by you, I mean Mark) start shoving the scraping tool under it, it comes up pretty well.  

Remember you will have an inspection contingency, so if there are any hidden repairs needed that are outrageous you can get out of the deal.  

I want to start with wholesaling, and It seems as though there would be demand for someone willing to put in the hard work of finding the gems in my area.

In addition to hidden holding costs. 

We started the process of buying which was a bit tiring as the bank hidden until the end that had a special assessment with the HOA for $30,000 for repairs that would do to the property.

A couple things to keep in mind is sometimes there are hidden expenses with septic systems that can cost 10's of thousands of dollars. 

However  there is a hidden gem in rev proc 2008-16 that was missed earlier and that is that if you adhere to it prescriptively you really need only hold the property as rental for 13 months not 24 months as was suggested.your accountant is relying on one of the specific wordings from a tax court decision that two tax years is appropriate.  

With my demanding full-time job and inability to outbid the all-too-common NYC cash buyers, I don't have enough free time to hunt down the affordable hidden deals (assuming there are any!)

There is a book called "The ABCs of Real Estate Investing: The Secrets of Finding Hidden Profits Most Investors Miss (Rich Dad's Advisors)"The book is about commercial RE investing but there was a section where the guy was talking about contacting owners.