We've also gone to vacant properties we've found and taken photos, did some estimates on repairs, etc. and put together reports.I also scan newspaper and craiglist ads for her and will get paid bird dog fees when she closes on any of the properties I've sent her.Another thing you can do as a bird dog, or to find busy investors to bird dog for is to go to real estate auctions and sheriff sales where the real property will be auctioned too.  

If you don't have money for postcards you could try a newspaper add or bandit signs.  

Good luck with 45k offer, unless your west telegraph/south Michigan or its sorta of a weird layout.  

(When Norwegians bought american property.)Here is an article from Norways largest economy newspaper.

This site is compiled by the local newspaper, and includes all the homicides in town for 2012, 2013, and 2014. 

It's very economical than newspaper or electric media and more personnel and direct.

when a house is listed in the local newspaper for auction how could I find out how much is the opening bid ?

Look in your Monday edition of your local newspaper under "Legal Notices".

Finding a deal: I have read some books and this blog and podcasts here about marketing for deals- driving for dollars, direct mail marketing, SEO, newspaper announcements, FSBO ads, etc.  

Im seeing more and more articles in newspapers with people predicting a crash.So, I have been listening to the podcasts going backwards.