If the building across the street has a 114k NOI that building worth 2.85 million. 

(after all the time to make money is when the blood is running in the streets right?) 

Selecting the cities, areas in the cities, and the streets in those areas is the key.  

I too like direct mail - it has worked for me for many years - I call that passive marketing - but I really prefer being pro-active and getting out there on the street and knock on doors - this is a great marketing procedure because look at all the real estate you drive by to get to that target property. 

Sam, I thought Dawn was talking about a self-directed Solo 401k, i.e. one where she wants to use funds to invest directly in real estate, for example (not merely through Wall Street products).

The condo is right across the street from her university.

I'm watching a 8U go up across the street that I suspect will sink into the swampy soil because they poured a trench type footing rather than driving piles like the better constructed infill.

But another way of finding them is to create your list and then look at each property address on your list in Google Street view.  

Take us all the way from the street to the meter to the water heater to the fixtures.That would help us guess what might be going on.I have quite a bit of experience with mystery water usage BTW.

@Michael Long We would be focusing mainly on Jackson Street as well as Jessop Place, and the surrounding streets.