@Garrett Pearson Good luck in your search.

However, as a Newbie, I am searching every avenue to find my next deal.

Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: https://www.biggerpockets.com/search/usersSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingCheck out BP Podcasts: https://www.biggerpockets.com/podcastWishing you the best!

That could be a great way to find and stay engaged with local investors and opportunities. http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsYou can also search for other investors in that area and follow their journey on Bigger Pockets here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/search/usersBest of luck to you and look forward to following your journey!

I ask because I was on rent.com and when I searched an area near me, there were some places with tons of rentals and other places with square miles of land that has plenty of homes there but none for rent.

Use the search function on "househacking"

I am searching for a multi family and could do a 1031.Here are the numbers:I owe $97K and it will sell for $180K.Mortgage with interest and escrow is $1225Current rent is $1500, but I could get $1600.The property has a pool, and I have a service that cleans it at $150/mo (don't trust tenant to do maintenance).So NOW, I get $1500, pay $1225 Mortgage, $150 Pool Service, $75 Vacancy (5%), $150 Maintenance (10%). 

. - Useful to get some high level info about crime rates, schools ... all the basics when selecting an area.

Second, the long pole in most of these transactions is the time it takes to do a title search and the deed recording.There's a lot of promise for smart contracts in the space, but I wouldn't trust any smart contract for such a large transaction in the short-term.

You can search on that for information.