I am a new investor looking for cashflow rental properties, and from my preliminary search Milwaukee looks like a great option.I am from Southern California, so I am aware that you will need a local PM for this area, and thats fine.However, one issue is I dont know the good areas of town. 

If you have a specific property in mind you can get a free preliminary title from the title agency that you intend to purchase your title insurance policy from.  

I am looking to build an 1800 sq ft house,  I have preliminary drawings.  

Ask a title company to do a preliminary title search, that's a quicker version of a search, they can tell you about all current liens or other clouds on title.

I'm pulling preliminary title work.

A pre-liminary Team typically include an Attorny, a real estate Agent, a CPA (or accountants), Inspectors, General Contractors, and Handymen.  

Have at least a preliminary Team put together.

I'm assuming there are some administrative charges added.I also understand that you have to do some preliminary title research yourself prior to the sale to ensure you're not bidding on a second mortgage or their are title issues.Is there an order the properties are auctioned off?

They can also be part of your pre-liminary Team.  

After some preliminary research, I think I'd want to own a live-in flip.