This will save you time for sure instead of scouring the MLS all day searching...

On the contrary, you're left to your own devices on this site (performing searches, scouring posts, networking, etc), though I do find this site to be more valuable overall than the education I received from the Rich Dad program. 

And there are already tons of people scouring that haystack! 

Scour Craigslist and if you have available funds put out bandit signs.  

Would you suggest targeting a neighborhood and then scouring it for vacant properties?

My goal for these properties hasn't been to find distressed properties because I love finding properties that are easy to rent as is without much or any work at all however once I start getting into flipping, I'm going to be scouring to find the worse properties hheheh :) and the best way to do that is look online, I also look at craigslist listings.

Currently scouring MLS and other resources looking for a decent owner occupy multi.

Even if you know nothing about source code, it has been scoured through and independently audited by many organizations/people. 

If you are starting out with limited funds try posting a few bandit signs you can go online to sites like freebanditsigns.com  and get them at a good low price especially if you get blank ones and write on them your  self(sometimes hand written signs are less intimidating than professional ones) place ads like crazy any where you can craigslist back page ect. scour these ad sites and try to find a possible good deal. 

I scour the MLS listings my agent has setup for me that lists new properties that come on the market daily, and also sites like Zillow but every time I find a decent flip, I get waayyyy out-offered or it already has 10+ offers on it.