In the age of internet, email, direct mail, face book etc. is this something investors do? 

If I were doing this today, I would offer high speed internet and use of a printer.

No real estate advertisement placed or caused to be placed by a licensee shall be fraudulent, false, deceptive or misleading.(2) When the licensee’s personal name appears in the advertisement, at the very least the licensee’s last name must be used in the manner in which it is registered with the Commission.(3)(a) When advertising on a site on the Internet, the brokerage firm name as required in subsection (1) above shall be placed adjacent to or immediately above or below the point of contact information.

I put little though into those I reject and prefer to concentrate/agonise over those I accept. 

As always, I'm signing into BP to ask another question I can't find a solid answer to anywhere else on the internet.

Real estate investing feels right to me and I want to get involved, so I've been reading a lot of books and internet forums trying to learn more. 

None of this is very expensive to install, but you need internet access to monitor so there is a recurring expense.

Concentrate on saving as much money as you possible can by living a frugal life style.

Historically, this area has had a supply demand imbalance and with the continued tech concentration, I don't see that diminishing anytime soon.

If you are just getting started with limited cash, I would concentrate on learning these alternative methods.