You can also search the BiggerPockets FilePlace for a ton of awesome content generated by BP users over the years.

I'm just getting started and taking a ton of notes and searching zillow, craigslist to just practice the calculations and looking at properties. 

We have recently been searching for the MLS in the Birmingham, Alabama area...it's called RPR (Realtor's Property Resource). 

Actually, yesterday there appeared a thread on BP that can be easily found by doing the following search on BP  "Scott Carson Do not invest"  I hope I'm not too late.

You could check the property owner records on your county auditor's site...but assuming many people have the same name, that might prove difficult, unless you have some other identifying info that would ensure you got the right person.

A title search and credit reports have been pulled, there are no judgments or liens. 

I don't know where it is, how big it is, or if it's been repaired, but just a quick good search seems to indicate this could be a $25k repair. 

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

Good luck on your search!

We are always searching for deals!