Many of HUD's Asset managers are now allows digital signatures however the agent still has to overnight the earnest money. 

I don't know where you are hearing anything about a major drop - there is one proposal yet to be presented to Congress to initiate a BRAC commission, but it would likely be less severe than the previous one that already took effect, and, if it impacted Fort Hood at all, would almost surely not be considered "major", but rather a small, single digit % reduction.

But the lists are free by buying the county legal newspaper. 

These markets are yielding double digit caps.

The default lists used to be published every year in a newspaper (what do they do now?).

After they calculate the tax equivalent yield they might hit double digits.

@Ken T.I know of many Canadians are taking advantage of the combination of low interest rate & double digit return cash on cash; has bought into US market.2% is not easy to get in most areas of US market(depending on market & area). 1% is not even easy in war zone area in Canada( although war zone area in Canada is mickey mouse to US).

This was when things were really brewing and water was backing up out of the sink and going everywhere and something had to be done, so after getting 3 opinions I had them dig it up to replace the broken pipe.

You are certainly better at finding rentals than I am , I grew up in the newspaper age .

Ultimately, we thought it was worth the risk, because worst case we're out a few grand, best case, we get property worth 6 figures, and most likely case, we pick up double digit returns for almost no work.