You are basically describing turn key providers.They buy distressed properties, rehab them, get them stable with tenants and then sell to investors.

We are wanting to get a distressed property and do a live-in flip.

Try to find something slightly distressed for big value-add.

Welcome, @Julie BaekYes, SoCal can be a tough nut to crack for newbies.A couple years ago I mailed out lots of letters to homeowners across LA County with no luck.Then I tried rural Kern County and got a deal from a distressed homeowner in California City.The margins were not as large as they would've been in LA or OC, but I was able to rent it out for 2 years before fixing it up and selling it for a decent gain.Also, have you considered an owner-occupied small multifamily for your first deal?

I actually used to live in Valley Village (Magnolia and Laurel Canyon).Anyway, SoCal can be a tough nut to crack for newbies.A couple years ago I mailed out lots of letters to homeowners across LA County with no luck.Then I tried rural Kern County and got a deal from a distressed homeowner in California City.The margins were not as large as they would've been in LA or OC, but I was able to rent it out for 2 years before fixing it up and selling it for a decent gain.Also, have you considered an owner-occupied small multifamily for your first deal?

Unless you purchase a property that is in very distressed condition.  

Yes it's usually geared more towards the cash buyer who is acquiring distressed properties.Sometimes these properties do not qualify for conventional loans due to their condition.However it would work the same way with a financed property assuming the numbers checked out.

We found a few distressed properties around but my question is HOW DO I FIND OUT WHO OWNS IT OR GET IN CONTACT WITH HIM/HER?

This won't be my main strategy, I have a marketing budget I am utilizing but I am thinking about doing this as well, like you said, only to distressed properties that are listed.

For me my end buyer is a landlord that wants dirt cheap houses or a flipper who wants distressed property at a discount.