As for finding them (OP's item #2), if you are only interested in buying at the auctions, the public notices are all that is needed in many locations since they are required by law to be published a certain amount of time before the sale date.

I wait till the last notice has been published giving the updated list of properties for the tax sale.

You might want to check out J Scott's book on Estimating Rehab Costs, available from BiggerPockets Publishing (I assume that you've already looked into it, but it's a great reference book on the subject).

There's actual data published by respectable organizations.

I have received award for 10 posts being published.

(If you want to see exactly how far, check out our very first article here -- published 10 years ago to the day!)

There are plenty of published stats from the Real Estate Commission that indicate schools with the highest pass rates and which instructors have the highest pass rates as well.

I can't do tech stuff, I can certainly write, but like Rich, I'm not an e-publisher.

I don't have it published anywhere online but I'd be happy to send you a copy.

Be aware of the "Greater Fool Theory" and be careful of real estate that is packaged this way - the seller is going to do well - I am sure - especially if you intend to pay cash for these properties.We run a little Investors School in Baltimore - teach  negotiating and investing making offers as well as tenant management -Baltimore is also known as Small-ta-more - word gets around quickly if someone is taken advantage -We have BLACK LIST on the bulletin board at our facilities - we put names on that list who have taken advantage of our members - title companies - lawyers - contractors and so called investors and wholesalers -Be careful with whom you do business with in the little big town of BaltimoreI can't publish this list here - but be glad to read it to you -If you need some Pro-Bono advice - let me knowThat neighborhood you mentioned - values vary from block to block - not sure if houses will appreciate much there -Wishing you good luck - stay in touch -Charles