*****Infinite Banking/Circle of Wealth/Bank On Yourself/etc.Some people want to know about the effect of taking loans against whole life insurance and repaying them with interest, thus creating your own personal financing system, which goes by a variety of different marketing names. 

Also, would anyone have input on effective ways to find properties without direct mail?

Some people are effective hunters using sicial media but the best hunters find their targets using shoe leather.

Mailing is the least personable, and the least effective.  

I'm no expert but I would guess not much.Every disclosure I ever filled out said, " to the best of your knowledge" and every inspectors report I ever saw said at the bottom, something to the effect that if they miss something you can not hold them liable.

I was wondering what the best and most cost effective way is to find clear title on the homes I want to bid on.  

And if so, any suggestions on what volume or dollar amount this would logically take effect and still be fair to all of us?

A salesperson working under a broker may engage in such activities.Good luck.

What's the most cost effective and tax beneficial way to do this?

Based on the results of the title search, if it doesn't show the occupants as the current owners than I would also engage a probate attorney to validate that they are the legal heirs to the property, and find out what documentation is needed for them to be able to transfer title to you.