I think some markets or higher price point homes have more discerning buyers.  

I do gain renting, tenant, and landlording experience, but I'd rather hold off until I can afford apartment complexes than small duplexes than won't net any discerning income.

So there is no real discernible difference between being in default 150+ days or being in foreclosure or having a DIL.

I use the vestmap.com DISCERN reports for granular location data.

I see plenty of these base hit type RE.When you have more contacts, more experience, and/or are not as eager for a purchase you can be more discerning in your purchases (try to start with a base hit because if you wait for the Homerun it may be a while).Good luck

You'll meet folks there that will tell you exciting war stories of how they made big money - some of it is fluff - be discerning - ask for details - how much down did they put up, how did they flip it - where did they find the transaction - how much money did the make --You want to learn something - try this ------Track down tax sale owners - ask if they would like to sellVisit Expired listings owners - ask if they are still taking offers on their houseLook at 50 houses (don't make offers - just look and take lots of notes) go with agents, look for FSBO's, - make it a goal to tour 3-5 house a day - you will become a expert in values in a short period of time.Have agents send you current listing and also expired listingsAttend public auctions - meet some of the bidders - collect cards and names - these are the REAL investors in your market - they are out there bidding on houses and making dealsEstablish a credit line of $20- $100,000 - when a deal comes your way - you will be ready to do businessHave all your forms ready - in a packet - your long form contract - your skinny contact offer - a hybrid offer - confess judgment notes - checks - disclosure forms - a list of contract clauses - list of creative financing systems - real estate formulas forms - lead paint waivers - referral forms - non-disclosure agreement and non circumvent agreementsWhen that great deals comes you'll know it (provided you worked the 50 house rule).don't waste your time with folks who talk the talk - sometimes we say BIG HAT - NO CATTLE!

Investors will learn a wide variety of approaches to current discerning public records & what future data analysis holds.

As soon as I discern that they are investors I tell them that this is NOT a property for them.

I just have a hard time, in my head, discerning what is necessary to bring the home up to market value (and to make it stick out to buyers) and what is just a waste of time and money.

The buyer base is less discerning in the details, they want everything new and to just make a payment in order to get that.