Steve K - If you are going to try and buy REO deals, you may want to consider skipping the buyer's agent method and go straight to the REO list agents.

Greg,Want you want is called a "Skip Trace" There are many sites which offer this.

However, many states have agreements which will allow you to skip the coursework to get licensed in the second state (usually neighboring states).

Skip tracehttp://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skiptrace

Or should I just skip all this and buy lists online?

Often these folks who skip out don't leave forwarding addresses so it's impossible to serve them for a lawsuit for these damages. 

The first being absentee owners with equity, non occupied out of state owners with equity, and finally Affidavit Of Death (which to my understanding skips the probate process).

First Class postage is guaranteed return mail (according to the Post Office) and therefore I can spend less initially and get back the addresses to be skip traced or run through the NCOA (National Change Of Address).2- The quantity varies, however I wouldn't recommend anything less than 1,000 pieces a month. 3-  As for the amount of touches to the potential lead, I would say 5-7 times, sending each lead one mail piece a month.

My opinion.. try out something local and if you can't afford it, then you probably should probably skip the $6 Starbucks coffees for a while, steal McDonald coupons from senior centers, sell your new car, and ride the bus.Not always the case.

I can just skip the rehab “R” and go straight to repeat!