I simply browse the property transfer section and take note of those that are selling real estate at reduced prices.

I simply have a lease agreement and in the lease agreement specify where the rent payment needs to go such as bank account info and account number.

Also, I just learned from an entity-creation specialist that any good lawyer in CA can simply PAY for a Statement of Information to the CA Secretary of State to get the info on managing members of an LLC.

I told him about the REI meetings they have in our area where local RE investors support each other, give advice, network, etc. to basically say "tons of people are doing this," and his first conclusion was that it must be some "investing club" that's trying to steal my money and convince me to buy real estate from them so I take on the risk and they try to get in on the management side to take a cut.

The solution to the problem proposed simply moves toward more centralization of power to the State.

Bond for Deed for me is better but I think it is simply a preference for me.  

They likely feel, as would I that someone 3 hours away is simply wasting their time. 

If the seller is not willing to dig then they just cut the value of their property by 1/3.

I had the misfortune a few years ago of taking a $20k a year pay cut after being discharged (honorably) from the Navy and going through a divorce in the process.

Is this simply a matter of the bigger players not wasting there time on smaller liens or is there an underlying correlation to the property/likelihood of redemption?