i would cash out refi with a fixed rate. the returns you will get will be far greater than the record low interest rates the banks are offering. i just refied my personal residence and pulled 146K out of it at 1.78% 30 year. 

Essentially, you drive around looking for uninhabited homes or rundown ones, look up the tax records free on the town/county website, craft a letter with your intent to purchase the home, and mail the owner directly.

The tax documents recorded in the county also states this as 2380 sq ft. 

But that could also drive out a lot of other little guys which makes for an opportunity.If you are willing to do the really hard work of driving for dollars, going door-to-door, digging through court records (like probate), and looking for deals that technology will not turn up, you could be the winner in the end.

Not pricing the flip correctly (we have seen a lot of flippers overpricing the property in order to set a new record in the market.

The biggest thing from my perspective would be creating a recorded legal agreement between you and your friend detailing the exact details and structure of the investment together.

If they borrowed, then there is a deed of trust (or mortgage in mortgage states) recorded with the county recorder's office which will show the deed of trust, lender and amount of funds borrowed.So to add to all of this, you must first FORM a relationship with these buyers and that takes time, it does not happen over night.

I will DM you  his information plus share with you a recent podcast we recorded with him 100% on the topic of porches. 

Been hearing that evictions are public records and might be good opportunity's to find tired landlords.

Just make sure you open a dedicated bank account for your real estate and keep good records of expenses.