We were driving around in Flowood looking at houses and I randomly saw a duplex that had a "for rent" sign in the yard.

=) Melissa,My doors have been open 10 weeks and I have only had 3 days vacancy so far. and these were just a random day between other guests stays.

I would not suggest just using a random %.Let me know if you have any questions.Regards,Joe Scorese

Even telling random people you run into that you're interested in buying houses will get you leads (I once got a lead in a baby shower from a woman who's brother was about to walk away from his properties).- Direct mail: All those flyers clogging your mail box are there for a reason - direct mail campaigns work.

Constantly has random people coming in and out.

Going with a generalist or some random CPA may be more feasible, but it's more feasible for a reason.

I asked the immediate neighbors and the detective assigned to the case and they did not confirm any violence, gang activity or random shootings in the area.

It helps me to network and provide value to other investors I network with.With all of those perks being discussed, let's take a look at the math on the marketing side:Let's use 2 hypothetical lists for example:1) My scrubbed list of probates to check the probate records for "real property being inherited" and a different mailing address for the applicant and the inherited or soon to be inherited property.2) A random list pulled from ListSource containing certain criteria of out of state absentee and 90% or more equity in the house.List 1:mailing 1000x5 times with a postcard costing $.50 ($2,500) (hypothetically let's say 80% of these leads have motivation) ($500 is in vain)List 2:same $2500, except only 50% of these leads have motivation of some sort, so there's more tire kickers and less potential. ($1250 will be in vain)With this math, the value of a great list will be worth at the very least $750 plus value in the market place, more concentrated motivation, and much less tire kickers.What does the BP community think?

All you want is someone with only your interests in mind to tell you what to avoid.And just as a random side note, I do think there are varying levels when people talk about A, B, C, D areas. 

"The owners across the street also paid more than $15k to realtors and waited on the market while strangers trampled through, at random, forever."'