But I need to know what steps do I take to make this happen.

You have to go to the courthouse steps to buy tax leans and I can get a list emailed to me a month before they go to auction. 

My question is should I do the brrrr method and take more time to accumulate  properties or should i only use down payments and mortgage the properties from the get go in order to start with more properties????

You will be able to payoff any existing loan (Conventional, HML, HELOC) and recover all or most of your cash invested.Evaluating a BRRRR deal is a 2 step process.  

Normal business hours are usually a safe bet, so if you present the tenant with a written (I would also send an email if possible, never rely on one form of communication) date and time block that you will be entering to show the property there is little they can do to dispute your actions.Always remember that they can always take to civil court and being a landlord/property manager is one of the most litigious careers in the country, so make sure to document the process each step of the way to best protect yourself and your assets.

Not to say this method is wrong, but just be aware that this is going to run like an apartment and your cash flow will probbaly be okay if your willing to put in more mangement and cost per home. 

Regarding my second question, you're right, I think doing a title search is my next step in order to insure that their is indeed a good amount of equity.Sal

I am open to the BRRRR method, but I don't think it works very well in my current market. 

This is a state-by-state issue and there are several different methods. 

These types of renovations put the property in a new category, where the value of the house isn't incrementally increased, it is increased via step-function to a new class of property.Because these types of renovations are difficult, risky, require experience, require vision, require cash, etc., most homeowners won't undertake these types of renovations and therefore can't "unlock" all the additional value themselves.So, to summarize, the two ways that flippers make money in this business are to make money when you buy (i.e., purchase so far below market value that you have equity after the renovations) and/or make money when you sell (i.e., increase the value so much with the renovations as to put the property in a new class when you sell)."