I haven't decided what area I want to scout out.

I have some considerable cash to invest and have been scouting properties for months in Denver.  

One source of cities to avoid is Neighborhood Scout's 100 most dangerous cities.

I try not to read any newspaper(libs control;) or magazine( I do read Scouting and Rotary News, but I'm guessing libs wouldn't count those.

@Jeremy Gaal I eventually will move out to Colorado Springs to start scouting the area in person and connect with good experienced investors.

Neighborhood scout has almost every coastal Southern Cal city as a 10 out of 10 for appreciation this century (I believe there is one 9 out of 10).  

I say this with love....the courthouse is no place for amateurs.Professionals dominate the courthouse auctions and don't take prisoners.They work in teams with buyers on the steps and scouts at the actual property trying to see what it is worth and how much damage needs to be repaired.If whatever property you're going to bid on has good potential,they'll know it and will out bid you unless you go overboard and bid way too much to profit.They have multi million dollar lines of credit and buy properties by the dozen in one day.Only way to beat them is to buy the property before it gets to the auction and on their radar.

Hey All, I am nee to the game and wondering if there are agents or service providers that run the numbers and scout properties for you at least for your first purchase so you don’t go in a ditch !? 

I originally got my license to help me scout out my first 2 family home for myself.

My experience of the Dominican Republic has been very different even though I've been more off the beaten track than most and taking public buses (that's part of a good property scouting trip).