I have read a few books and done time on the internet researching to how to's.

I picked up a couple of books and already finished one - ABCs of Real Estate Investing is a good newbie book if any other newbies care - easy read, and provided some basic guides to determine property profitability, though you can probably find the same info on this forum in one form or another.

Interesting book.

One can go to the book store to find out more.

Right now I'm trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can from school, RE books, etc, to try and gain a competitve advantage.

The longer these properties sit on the banks books, the more money they are losing.I have seen some properties in Michigan go for under $20K with the investor I work for.

If any person who has a failing or failed career could read a book and then expect to pull down a year's income for little effort plus no risk then I have a few things to sell you.John Corey

In many ways BoA is no larger or any more significant than a number of other banks (HSBC, Goldman, etc).REOs have no loan guarantees as the asset on the bank's books is property and not a loan.

Are there better classes, books, etc?

Books, articles and whatever else helped or continues to help you.