Do you have any resources you can share for the cycles over the last 4 decades or last 4 centuries and what measures you used to identify them?  

Also, check into the MARS foreclosure rules, they attempt to identify scams, say the wrong thing, even with good intentions and you could get nailed. 

Best to identify what type of deal you are going after (and what the financials need to look like) before searching your local area.  

This will identify the retail price ranges, in which you can list the rehabbed property and the price ranges, of distressed homes, you should target.You can use the Realtor to help you find deals and also use Wholesalers.

I've been running numbers on properties in my area, but feel like I need to build out / identify a strong team before I jump in.

@Dan Wynn, this should have been identified as an issue on approximately the first or second phone call or meeting with your lender.

The first thing you should do when looking outside of your market is to identify where the opportunities are.  

@Caroline O. you can identify up to 3 properties with no issues.

There is nothing to stop one using excel or any software as to that matter.Software is a tool to get instant financials and the accuracy depends on the person knowledge, expertise and also identifying and analyzing the data. 

I have identified the list of features I am want to add.