With Google Maps & Earth, I don't see much need for this in residential real estate.  

Now, get more down to earth, 70K house to say 150K homes, you have a greater population to market to, more folks who might buy but can't right now.

I loved this book, very helpful and and down to earth.

Nothing attached on this earth is a secret.  

I hate to disagree with you right off the bat, but why on earth would you look in a different city?  

http://google-latlong.blogspot.com/2015/01/google-earth-pro-is-now-free.html?

Did you get the chance to see the Big Nickel and Dynamic Earth while you were here?

Best market on earth in my opinion 

You can never really get in trouble by being smart and patient, but people most definitely always get themselves in a bind when they move to quickly without making sure they have the experience or financial backstop.I would try to find a lender who seems like they are genuine and down to earth.

He saw the LAND not the doomed location of a restaurant.He could have flipped that land a week after closing for over $1mm profit.When i like an area.. i get on polaris (google earth) for tax maps and flyover aerial views to spot any undeveloped land parcels that maybe can be carved off of a larger parcel.Are there any pre-foreclosures or short sales ?