Behind the sheetrock, crawl spaces, etc.I'm by no means an expert at "de-meth-ing" a home, but that seems like a cheap way to get a better idea of what you are getting into.

I don't mean to go against the grain of those who are selling that idea - all I can say is that it did not work for me.So.......... back to taking seminars, buying cassette tapes and books - I wanted to learn everything I could about investing in real estate ---- so--I had to get money, working capital, and I needed to go on the cheap - A friend told me about cheap properties you could buy in Baltimore - houses for only $2-3,000 and many of them could be found at public auctions.After borrowing some money and getting some credit cards and a new job - one in sales - I was ready - ready to invest in cheap- junk properties in the City.And wouldn't you know it - I got lucky at my first auction and purchased a cheap house that was boarded up - Because of all those expensive seminars I enrolled in I WAS READY - prepared with my pry-bar, flash light, level, marble and probe - I decided to go to this building that was being auctioned the next day - I sort of removed some plywood and crawled through a window to take a look -Boy was I surprised - this place looked great - I later found out that the estate boarded it to keep squatters out.The next day - I was ready with my deposit and waiting for the auctioneer to start his melodious hypnotic chant - 5 bidders appeared but did not bid because they could not get it - I was the only bidder and got the house real cheap.Today as an auctioneer, investor and developer of commercial properties - if someone would ask my opinion on how to get started I would suggest ---Continue to study but learn how to cut through the BSGet a credit line Learn 20 creative financing techniques - no money down systems (that is none of your own money)Hang with a few successful investors and pick - pick - pick their brain*** Look at 50 houses in the area you intend to invest (not expensive, blue collar, mixed rental and home owner neighborhoods)When you are finished looking at 50 properties - you will be armed with knowledge that most agents and other investors don't have - knowledge of values -Keep a journal, put listings in it, write down everything the agent or owner says, keep a record of the cost per square foot - this will help determine values -Have agents send you expired listings - go knock on the door or send a letter to ask if they are still accepting offers on the property - Remember an expired listed is a property that failed to sell - the seller should still be motivated to sell. 

I recommend starting at the NARPM web site to find one.  

@Brian McKelveyWelcome to BiggerPockets, the site I consider to be Best for Real Estate on the web. 

You can find a list at the counties' web sites or when they are posted.

I have done Venture point before, on the co-workspace side, I got a good monthly deal and it worked out really well when I was using it for my web design work, and I might go with them again, but  haven't seen recent pricing.

There is a lot of free information on here and on the web that can at least get you educated a little more on real estate. 

Simply click on my name in blue then scroll down to REI Weal Builders and the web address of the group OR whichever LinkedIn group you're interested in.

Most of the house does not have a crawl space.  

As another datapoint, I frequently check the web traffic of the big players as a proxy of popularity, investor views, etc.