Landlord best practices require rent to be paid monthly IN ADVANCE.

@Jeff Unruh Mecklenburg County, NC has a very robust online tool for search tax foreclosures to include narrowing searches by property type. http://mapserver.mecklenburgcountync.gov/foreclosures/Vacant land presents a whole host of potential problems that may inhibit a quick flip.

But check out Cozy.co - its a simple online payment/tenant portal site.

 all awesome info...I relate to this as I am often out of country..I have bought through trusted eyes for a buy/hold, never a flip.....could you chime in on either..1.regarding an online auction purchase, and seemingly growing trend... they seem to all say "as is", no contingencies, no views, no diligence...how in goodness name can you confidently make an offer on an online auction w/ no walk through contingency?

I have asked if anyone here has bought from online auctions and didn't find anyone.   

I highly recommend reading How to be a Landlord written by a Newton, MA lawyer:http://www.attorneyross.com/landlord.pdfI use Lease Runner to create my Massachusetts leases & accompanying documents which are then signed online by me and my tenant.

You'll get there with practice looking at deals.

Just a thought, instead of paying 15k upfront, is it not better to buy materials directly online and ask the contractor to take delivery of the same and we pay only for the labor and services portion? 

Hi @Amy GardnerUnfortunately, unless they have their CC&R's online, you'd probably have to call the HOA management company for a copy of the CC&R's or just simply ask them if they allow short term rentals. 

Find online research that discusses the merits of various markets specifically related to cashflow investing.