Section 34.03(a), Tax Code, is amended to read asfollows: (a) The clerk of the court shall: (1) if the amount of excess proceeds is more than $25,before the 31st day after the date the excess proceeds are receivedby the clerk, send by certified mail, return receipt requested, awritten notice to the former owner of the property, at the formerowner's last known address according to the records of the court orany other source reasonably available to the court, that: (A) states the amount of the excess proceeds; (B) informs the former owner of that owner'srights to claim the excess proceeds under Section 34.04; and (C) includes a copy or the complete text of thissection and Section 34.04; [and] (2) regardless of the amount, keep the excess proceedspaid into court as provided by Section 34.02(d) [34.02(c)] for aperiod of two years after the date of the sale unless otherwiseordered by the court; and (3)regardless of the amount, send to the attorneygeneral notice of the deposit and amount of excess proceeds if theattorney general or a state agency represented by the attorneygeneral is named as an in rem defendant in the underlying suit forseizure of the property or foreclosure of a tax lien on theproperty.

I'm new to this game and I quickly found that the best source of deals are homes that can't get mortgages because they're to dilapidated.I'm new, I'm still learning, and I occasionally don't know as much as I think I do as a result.

I absolutely do not want to discourage you from investing as I feel that it is likely THE most incredible source of wealth building, but you need to know the ins and outs as much as possible to keep from losing your shirt on a deal (or being caught with no money in the bank in the event something unfortunate comes up for you or your family).As for HELOC, I don't really have any experience with this, but I generally stay away from things that pull my personal assets under the gun should a deal go bad.

It  more  fun to be in VegasTHE PAPER SOURCE NOTE SYMPOSIUM: CA$H FLOW PROFITS 2015!

Is there any other sources that would allow for a small list like this that would be accurate?  

There is a real benifit in finding a private money source and just fund your own deals.

The MLS properties will tend to be on the higher end of the rental market, but in conjunction with other sources it should help you get an idea for what the rent should be for a property. 

Find some source of consistent income, or at least plan on it.

This site is an almost endless source of info.

As @David Semer said, the community is such a great source from the webinars, blogs, and podcasts to every BP individual and their help.