The latter is actionable and what leads to success.

I am a very experienced foreclosure buyer and I think I can answer all of your questions. I can't get it all into one post, but ask your questions and we'll get to them. 
I started out doing pre-foreclosures back in ...

I pay all of my sellers directly.

But it could be an option to self manage.

It's important to utilize an insurance broker who points you in the direction of quality carriers not just the least expensive.

There are listing agents, but buyers are almost always self represented with legal counsel helping negotiate LOI and PSA.  

Risk free and you don't have to do anything but go to the Treasury Direct website. 

@James Wise we will always regard you and your team as one of the leading experts in our industry!

, using zip codes will lead to disaster.What we've found though is, "block-by-block" is too granular for OOS investors and "scares" them away:(So, what we've done is ranked the City of Detroit's 173 neighborhoods as Class A, B, C or D for OOS investors.It's still not perfect, but it's way better than using zip codes and easier to evaluate than block-by-block!

They are not self managing and they do not qualify as an Enemy.