I know that some hot list sources would be pre-foreclosure lists, probate lists, clean and clear lists, absentee owners, and just some good old fashion riding through target areas.

We had some hail storms down here in GA a few years ago. 

Google Jumpstart Germantown and take a ride through the area sometime soon. 

Definitely find some local REIA groups to attend (there is a Networking Events option under the Community tab at the top of the BP site) and buckle in for the ride!  

Anyone agree with the investment advice; buying houses under $250K and riding the appreciation up over the next few years?

Everything appears to look good for the future in SW Florida for the next few years so I can ride the appreciation up.

My issue at this point is I just don't trust that number enough and find we are always over-riding that number to adjust the ARV.My business partner, @David Corey and I are both agents and have access to MLS - so we will then run comps and do our standard CMA that way to refine things - but it takes time to do it accurately and not practical to do 10 of these when you're trying to scale up.There's got to be a better, faster and equally or more accurate way...has anyone had any luck connecting MLS data via IDX APIs or anything like that?

I expect these properties to hold up fine should a downturn occur and then can pivot as the overall market moves.I personally feel that diversification and the ride it out strategy is middle class baloney that knowledgeable active investors on BP do not have to precisely follow because they mitigate risk in certain asset classes with knowledge.  

You can get a lot of return on your investment out there and we have easily been able to ride out the market ups and down.  

Get rid of the tenant and the ride should smooth out going forward.