I will browse their craigslist and see what they are advertising.

The tenants have separate utilities (meters, heating units) and pay for the heat and electric to their units.The price is $382,000Expenses:Insurance:  $1,000Water/sewer:  $1275Electric:  $658Trash removal:  $900Landscaping/snow removal:  $1450 (My husband and son-in-law are landscapers/plowers (and very talented general handymen), so this amount will not be close to this)Real estate taxes:  $3847Vacancy rate:  8.3%Maintenance and repairs:  $1200 Advertising:  $150Administrative:  $15020% down payment:  $76,400 with 5% interest rate - $305, 400 mortgage amount - mortgage payment $1641Rents are:  3BR - $1325; 2BR - $1050 and 1BR - $975. 

Build a website, learn seo learn DMM, start a campaign get properties signed, grow your buyers list make actual money.Don't rely on others to get these steps done for you (i.e.

I am advertising that I want to buy properties in both North and South Carolina.

I have plenty of private money.. how much does a investor pay big dogs to find properties and where can you advertise that you may actually find people to help you? 

I'm actually getting ready to roll out a direct mail campaign in my area to see if I can generate some leads that way.

You need to get your name and phone number out there in front of people who might want to sell their properties quickly.Common examples are sending letters to owners of properties, for example all out of state owners in a city, or owners who are getting divorced, or landlords who recently evicted someone, etc.Also common is Google SEO advertising, Facebook campaigns, putting signs on telephone poles ("bandit signs"), putting fliers out in the community, dropping business cards in certain locations, paying for billboards or radio or TV ads, etc.At some point you will need to make a decision on whether you have (or want to spend) more time, or more money.

The names are the most important, but the least expensive part of your campaign.

I would NOT suggest putting a sign on the yard to advertise you have a vacant property if you are really in a D class neighborhood.Do you do open house showings and let anyone apply?

Best case is to start advertising the unit immediately and explain to the tenant that they will be responsible for rent until you find a suitable replacement.