The old ways of marketing such as direct mail, bandit signs, news paper ads, fliers are becoming obsolete and can be very expensive. 

Notice of default (foreclosure).. constantly stay in their ear , from start to finish.6. discharged/dismissed bankruptcy cases (get from pacer)7.Tax lien sale- published in legal news papers when auctions come up8.

I'm currently a page designer for our newspaper, but I'm looking into real estate investment as a supplement to my income (better than just letting the markets handle my 401(k), I figure) and maybe a way to becoming my own boss one day.

Contact landlords with For Rent ads in the newspapers and on Craigslist, and signs in yards, asking them if they would like to sell.

Through newspapers and other kinds of classfieds?

Below is an newspaper insert in the LA Times in July 19th, 1997.

Sad to say there is lots of opportunities in Detroit, but that breeds bad actors waiting to make a few bucks off someone.This was a recent story in the newspaper: http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/special-repo...Guys like this are just the tip of the iceberg. 

Word of mouth, bandit signs, a small ad in the newspaper (old folks who want to downsize or get out of the rental the've had for 30 years STILL READ THOSE.

Some other sources send very few leads but they are all qualified.For example, you might put a lot resources to placing ads in a newspaper to get new joint venture partners.

I check the following on a regular basis;  Craigslist rent section, local and neighboring town newspaper, for rent rent signs I see posted, and talking with local realtors who manage rental properties.