I'm just starting out and I wanted to know if this was a great goldmine of a source, to what degree and the best methods that have been used for the sellers. 

Different methods work for different people.

I am really really wanting to dive in already and get my first Buy and Hold under my belt and use the BRRRR method like brandon always talks about!

So whats the best method to keep records in order to be prepared (separate accounts) for next tax year?

Lookup the "brrrr strategy" that is so famous on these forums.  

I have a rental house that I purchased with cash, rehabbed, and have an excellent tenant approved and ready to move in on 4/1/2016 (at $700.00 / month)   I'm looking to BRRRR.  

I'm interested in investing in SFR's and small 2-4 unit multi-family properties in the Inland Empire, looking to utilize the BRRRR strategy (and possibly the occasional flip).

This method eliminates the competition at the tax sale, be pro-active.Tax sale certificate purchasing is a passive method of investing, for me, I'm impatient, I don't want to wait the prescribed period of time to get paid interest on my investment (too old to wait for that).I would rather deal directly with the property owner to attempt to solve the problem they are having; no money for the taxes.There are times when if you are pro-active, visiting tax sale properties, searching for the owners, that you may find a really great deal.

I've been using the 65 percent method.

I'm now looking to get involved more deeply in the investing side -  through buying and holding, and at some point flipping - focusing on helping those who may not be able to purchase a home through traditional methods still realize the dream of home ownership.