One of the guys on the podcast said he writes them down if he sees an A/C unit (in a nice area), assuming that means they don't have the few thousands dollars to install central air.Good luck!

Hey Guys,So my girlfriend and I were walking the dog (I was actually "walking for dollars", she doesn't know that though) and I found a vacant looking single family home in a great neighborhood.  

I found my current guy by wandering into a small locally owned paint shop and saying, "do you know anyone who can build a deck handrail?"

Great guy and specializes in working is investors in Michigan.

I do not have direct access to the mls yet and have been relying primarily on sites such Zillow, trulia, BeenVerified, etc. any advice on telling the difference between a good comp and bad comp without using the mls?

Either way, you could have a lower offer than the other guy, but if you have no contingencies and he does, and you put up more earnest money, then you could get the deal.

I had just left a bad marriage with 3 young children.  

So I want to hear you guys' thoughts on how to obtain 50 rental properties in 5 years while earning a 60k a year salary in southern California.

If you don't know anything about real estate than getting your licence isn't a bad idea but one has nothing to do with the other. 

Same as learning plumbing for your properties, a bad plumber (or DIY) can cost you more than an expensive plumber.