But if the numbers work and you can snatch some up for super cheap can't argue that.

As said above they are cheap.

I rand through all of that detail to help you see and hopefully start to understand in the world of notes a cheap price doesn't mean a good asset.  

I will buy a cheap car (I don't have one after I totaled mine) and reinvest the remaining money into one rental, more marketing, and earnest money to lock up other similar deals already on my radar that I can flip for a profit.

Some friends would like to set up cameras for properties after they turn off the electricity to the property, and I'm looking into some ultra cheap solutions to do that. 

I trust the company will underwrite the deals and your a lead generator.. lots can go wrong in this business if you have no experience which you indicate you don't.Good luck with it..Craig's list adds could help as well... marketplace on BP is a cheap way as well.

Know this though, if you are going to spend the time to get your license, keep up the credits and pay for MLS, the $ amount is not cheap (we're talking $500 to get your license between the course, exam, finger prints and anything else your state might require) plus every year or two you have pay license fees to the state (usually another $100-$200 per 24 month period) and MLS is not cheap ($500-$1000 per year pending your location).

I did my business plan the old-fashioned way because I was to cheap to pay for the whiz bang ones out their. 

In my area (Long Island, NY), this is definitely cheap for a duplex.  

Consider looking into concord near the BART station, it's pretty cheap now and will one day be worth a lot more.