@Ran Fridman It sounds to me like you are in the investigative "discovery" stage of checking out defaulted taxes bargains.Given the myriad laws and methods of taxation and their remedies, you'd do well to focus on one state at a time. 

How will you pick your flips so that you get maximum return on investment and have you considered how you will show the property once completed, ie staged or not staged!  

It was her ability to get the home owner to fix lil things and the way the house was maintained and staged for buyer viewing!  

The best thing to do is to speak to a lender and have them get you a pre approval- if you're at that stage.

Dean by far is the real deal and after meeting the man and speaking on his stage about what I have learned from him over the years all I can say is READ HIS STUFF.From zero to 78 deals in four years and the best part is I have learned to help others before yourself and it will come back to you.

The four hour workweek seems like a way to better automate your business to save time, but I am not at that stage yet. 

Are there any stagers out there in the SF Bay Area who stage homes using fine art that is actually a bit more "edgy" or interesting than the usual fare?

Going step by step will help keep you from getting distracted or overwhelmed and get you moving in the right direction as opposed to just be in the reading/listening stage forever.2) Attend look meetups in your area (search on meetup.com) and start connecting with investors.

I am still in preliminary stages with Portland, but it looks promising.  

I just think your a bit removed from the beginner stages of things.