@Joel Owens is right on target, this is not a project for a first investment.As you originally posted, this one is tricky.

So I am thinking it is the poverty level market that would be a nice target to invest in, more less a neighborhood, or investment type, people need a roof over their heads regardless.

Heres the basics:SHORTSALEARV: 155-160kBPO target: 140k(I will be there to do everything I can to influence price)Target purchase price:112k. 1st of 220k (WF) and 2nd of 60k (handled in bankruptcy court and home owner currently paying it down)I am pleased to say a family friend has chosen me to handle their short sale.

Any web site?

This has been targeted as a red flag as to fraud issues due to brokers and dealers assigning insufficient collateral leading to investor's loosing money.Again, review what was mentioned relating to contract law and predatory issues.You might begin to understand now my issues with "finance gurus" or those with limited knowledge suggesting and even doing their own thing in financing.Never use a note or security agreement or any financing contract that has not been reviewed by an attorney or at least someone with a formal education in financing.Lastly, I have never met an attorney who would have an initial reaction to giving a 60 year old lady a 37 year fixed rate note as being a rational and informed decision by that lender in any installment sale.

I am in the process of researching how to buy a decent list to market to.My criteria is as follows:Absentee ownersSFR (3-5 bedrooms)Owned 7+ years40%+ equityI used listsource.com to target my hometown and found 3,430 leads.

I think I searched BP web site.

I keep track of all the properties that enter the Extended phase in my target buying area.

BiggerPockets Marketers,I am conducting a direct mail campaign to targets over the course of six months for each target.

It's interesting how your perspective starts to shift when you have a goal/target in mind.