Also, how competitive are the LA county Tax deed auctions?

Doing the option correctly, means that you would need to record an memorandum of option with the county recorder, to demonstrate that you have equity in the property.This is a win win, the family gets the money they need ASAP, and you have the opportunity to sell and maximize your return on investment, while never "owning" to the property.Like JD Rockefeller said: "Own Nothing, Control Everything!"

I have noticed lately that single family homes have been falling in certain ares or Orange and Los Angeles Counties in California.

Sounds like Joshua needs to move to Cobb County, GA

I looked at them for a property I own in Redding, when I was thinking of doing a Vacation rental type use, but the County wouldn't allow it (even though I have 20 acres) There's so many different types of manufactured housing these days, from the simple manufactured to the more upscale Stillwater Dwellings, etc. 

I will be showing the houses Saturday Sept 24th, please call for time.South West Baltimore County, lovely neighborhood.

I don't know if all counties have it, but here in Houston, we have the Harris County Appraisal District.org online for free and they give you present owner, tax appraisal, taxes, school districts, etc.

I'm currently looking at a duplex in Columbia, SC which is assessed at 48K. The sellers are asking 62.5K. Most of the units in the area are priced to sell for about 10K less than their assessed value.

My question...

Now talking to other agents out here they have said for my county that 3% is great and 4% is outstanding lol.

If so how can this be done, I know I can just go into county records of properties that I'm interested in but it would be a lot easier to have the listing agent get in contact with the seller.