I just returned from my second Dallas/Fort Worth scouting trip (I live in San Francisco).  

Im currently scouting the south side (east of the Dan Ryan) is it ok if I contact you when I come across deals?

I've been scouting some local investment clubs here north but they are hard to come by.

If my assignment fails, need to do another, I have to go back to the seller.Having been in real estate investing for a while, it's also known that some big bad dudes can have people scout out properties and then sell it to them via assignment, hiding the actual buyer.

Neighborhoods Scout offers  a lot of community information but not hard job growth or employment statistics.

I guess I scout out a few other banks to chat with.

I think that your best bet would be to capitalize on HUD homes, but you may be restricted on how long you have to reside in the home (not sure what the seasoning time-frame is, someone here will know though) so it may be "tricky" to turn it into a rental right away.Regardless of any of that, investors find new places to scout inventory every few years.

Perhaps offer to do some small tasks like scouting deals on the MLS, stuffing envelopes, checking up on / cleaning rental properties or doing some filing/data entry.

This would consist of a seasoned wholesaler or investor friendly agent, general contractor, inspector, property management, local mortgage broker and possibly a marketer or property scout.

@Walter DobbinsMy wife and I scouted the surrounding area this past Sunday including some properties listed on the MLS and one we literally were invited in by a broker.All need tons of work.