I want to know about getting deals,what are the best methods or programs to get tax liens, probates, foreclosures, etc before they hit the MLS 

Thanks @Jerry Padilla and @Padma Mody.I think in the case of the roof needing to be fixed, the appraiser will note that and the financing will likely not be able to be done through conventional methods.

The former method is much more profitable!

So many 'sophisticated' methods of investing get folks' rears in cracks I probably got carried away.  

I have been researching the Brrrr strategy recently and it seems like the biggest pitfall would be not being able to refinance.

I am very interested in the BRRR method for all of my future purchases, but my local bank will not do cash out refi past mortgage 4, and also require 12 month seasoning regardless.  

I have a buy and hold mentality and love the BRRRR strategy.  

Who in the Los Angeles area is entrepreneurial and well known for their successes with these methods?

You need to embrace the mentality of a student and continue invest in your education, both formal and hands-on, real-world (my preferred method) learning.

It has a lot to do with what accounting methods the bank uses to account for these properties, and that information will never be in your hands.