In my city, I look at those ads, extract the addresses in zip codes I like, and send them letters - the more unique the appearance the better so they will stand out from other form letters.

Its really tough to extract much true cash flow from that.

Also I don't know what California law is, but in Delaware we have to give 60 day notice to increase rent on a month to month policy which means he would have had ample time even before making those partial rent payments to find a new place.I also believe you are within your right to extract late fees and court cost from that deposit as well.

OTOH if you have money and not so much time you can buy a list that's already extracted and sorted based on your specific criteria, write some letters, and hand it all over to a direct mail company to send out the letters.

I think the upside in my OP plan is too small in relation to the difficulty of timing everything right or if I don't find a deal I like and have the cash already extracted.

It contains illegally dumped radioactive waste but they are working on extracting it soon.

I am still trying to extract as much information as I can so that I can report him, it is definitely disheartening.

This kills the plan to extract the costs via a refi.   

They hope you only catch 3 out of 10 things they are hiding etc. and will still extract more money out of you on the sale.This is why if it's a listed property working with a commercial broker who looks over these things everyday is worth it especially if the seller is paying for it.

I would much rather have  a larger piece of land 1/2 to 2 acres that I know I can extract much more value out of.