Would I benefit in contacting a general contractor to evaluate or is there another I could call who may specialize in this sort of thing?

So far I've sent about 40 letters to that list, all hand written, and have gotten 4 calls back: 1 (absentee) interested but not motivated, 1 (absentee) not interested unless getting huge payoff, 2 (O/O) in the works now and hopefully will be under contract by the end of this week. 

Calling on the experts @Tim VandenToorn @Brandon Krieg @Justin Workman any wisdom or advice?

You could try calling your municipality's office to see what they could provide.  

I usually just call them, let them know I am interested in buying properties like theirs, and ask them if we can discuss.For a letter, I would let them know the parameters of what you're looking for and the state of your financing/ability to buy, and let them know you'll be following up with a phone call if possible.

Anyone have any luck cold call or emailing people with rentals listed on Craigslist and seeing if they are wanting to sell?

I called a real estate lawyer, thinking I could add him to my so called team, "Sure I'll work with you, give me a retainer of $1,000 and when you find a deal I'll tell you what to do!"

Make a thousand phone calls, pretty sure you can get 10 who can help.

Determine equity when they call in.Right @Rodney Kuhl ?

I am currently using software called Lender Financing to keep up with the payments.