I ask because I plan on buying it and because real estate is a frequently changing game — what was effective one year ago could already be obsolete

In every deal the investor has a partner, the IRS.That partner wants frequent updates, and your tax person keeps this partner happy.

I can find you a property for $30,000 that will rent for $1,000 a month but it will have high turnover costs, more frequent turnover, higher delinquency rates, high crime, etc.

A Credit Default Swap was an insurance vehicle that was used quite frequently back in the early 2000s.

It's better when used for smaller properties, the kind of ones that are being bought and sold frequently.

I used to sell spec homes for a construction company and I'm happy to share sites I used to frequent. 

Jamie,The best way is to see if you can get your list local from like a title company.Major lists areAbsenteePreforeclosure (Notice Default) Court houseProbate at court HouseThe other source that I use frequently is listsource.com it is free to set up an account and you can actually boil down the list from geographic to demographic.I am a huge fan of click2mail.

One of the neighbors called us today, and listed the following issues:1) There are 5 people living in the house (there are only 3 on the lease), and the house has become a party house with 10-12 people going in and out every day2) Allegedly, pot is being smoked frequently in the backyard at said parties3) Drunken behavior including peeing in the backyard where neighbors can seeNow I'm a little worried that illegal activity may be going on at my house.  

For example, I frequently can see that a property gets quitclaimed to a friend or a relative and then undergoes a cash out refi so its an indicator of a weak borrower.

It’s not impolite to refer newbs to the search box for answers to the frequently asked questions.