I've read through the guide, I've been listening to the podcasts and been browsing around.... analyzed some deals, gone through data, i.e. populations in cities, average home pricing, average rent, etc.

Browse around and don't get overwhelmed.

Hello All,I recently stumbled on BiggerPockets website while browsing around to find some information on how to get started in Real Estate Investing.  

It is almost midnight and I'm browsing this real estate website answering questions and participating.

Over the years, I have found that if you have a clear data model (ideally 'implemented' in MySQL for instance) your success rate(s) for all other functions (UI, processing functions, interfaces, etc.) goes up dramatically.

I'm wondering...when people aren't quite at the stage of touring specific properties with a real estate agent, but instead are just browsing/screening properties, what method do you use to find properties?

I have already learned so much through browsing the site.

I have been browsing through your site for years, used your templates for my leases, and recently started listening to your podcasts! 

I'm still a newbie in the Real Estate Investing world and know for a fact if I wouldn't have stumbled upon this site while browsing podcasts at work, I would be totally lost. 

Zillow may be a place to start. use the graphic interface to see current rentals and past sales... it's a place to start.