Foreclosed homes start to get boarded up to protect them against damage, they are more unsightly.  

How can I find out who the owner is & property characteristics?

A few things you said in your posts are very interesting, and I would appreciate your insight.When you say Birmingham has very similar characteristics to Memphis that attracted you a few years ago, what characteristics or metrics do you mean?

Welcome JohannaAs you already probably know, here is plenty of information and good people to connect with Try to read as much as possible and try to attend some of the investor meetings There is a very good one close to you, I believe they meet once a month in the Bethesda Womans Club,  plus there are some others in Tyson's Corner and Downtown DCMy advice to be taken seriously as wholesaler is to understand very well the numbers your investor buyer needs, and present only reasonable opportunities, your ARV has to be realistic using real and relevant comps (close in distance, close in time and close in characteristics) and the spread must be enough for him to pay: interest, rehab costs, realtor commissions, etc and still make a decent profit selling quickly.

This is because you see the cause and effect of characteristics of the loan, its documents and the borrower.

"Partner" and "mentor" are not mutually exclusive characteristics.

Start studying the characteristics of each neighborhoods.

From the website:With myFICO Property Reports, you get access to the same “insider” information that real-estate professionals see, including:• Physical characteristics, sales history and mortgage information• Comparable recent home sales in the same area• Neighborhood demographics, information on local schools, crime information and statistics, natural and environmental hazard reports … and more!

Unfortunately, real estate has a characteristic stocks and bonds do not -- you may have to pay to sell.I would certainly get rid of two and three and maybe even one unless you're planning on moving into it.

I considered many locations in the US and Asia but decided on Las Vegas due to its unique characteristics.