I do it by first making some basic selection out of the tax sale list and then sending letters to the owners.

As opposed to buying a house, as soon as you sign (or shortly thereafter) you own the property and the transaction is complete.

Well, if you bought a car the day after closing it would appear you Applied for the loan at least before closing of the loan which would violate documents you sign at closing, with the lender, saying you are not applying for additional debt. 

There was no sign, and the bushes were so overgrown the house was almost unnoticeable...and it sits on the main road through our small town, just 2 blocks from my commercial building. 

Initially I was looking in a select few areas in Rhode Island because RI Housing offers down payment assistance if you buy in said areas.

But if it's something quick like, hey how is the rehab coming, or where do we stand with signing a new tenant, I just text.

With the concrete slab bare it’ll be easier to look for signs of settlement/cracking.

This Loan may be amended or modified only by a written agreement signed by the Borrower and Lender.Severability.

During 2009 when I bought my condo in SF, to supplement my vacation income, I signed up with a company called Air BnB to rent out my place when I was gone.  

Hey Chris, for the most part i been online lately, my marketing has either been done by Bandit Signs, direct mail, dropcards, and i had lil bit success in the past but back then my mind wasn't clear on things like it is now and i refuse to door knock especially in the area im in, i tried it before it's not many owners motivated to sell, around my way is lack of owners just mostly people that are renting a property.