@Bonnie Low if you have an international student they will have an SSN if they will be paid by the university or sometimes get an ITIN to open a bank account. locally you may be able to search by name in local databases but it isn't usually helpful.

What web-based solutions are you guys using to keep track of your portfolio?

I can also send you the MLS link for your on-market search. 

I’ve seen a bunch of posts here over the past six month on BP where people seem to be betting big money (some call it investing) based purely on someone’s charm and word.

Never mind, should have used the search feature before asking....

Buy 4 more properties - one approximately every 3 months, based on the following logic = always fill existing property with a tenant prior to moving on (I'm new, and this is my way of managing risk); build resources to purchase next property (I have pretty decent purchasing power right now through conventional lending with my current job, and I also have a private lender ready to loan on my next property, and I also get a quarterly commission check that provides a nice financial bump every 3 months); finding a property takes time, but it is worth it to find the right property in the neighborhoods I want to invest in, at the right price.

To have your activity qualify as material participation, you must meet one of the following tests:-Work more than 500 hours in the activity (a married couple can count the involvement of both spouses to meet this test)-Do substantially all the work in the activity-Work more than 100 hours in the activity, and no one else worked more than the taxpayer (including non-owners or employees)-The activity is a significant participation activity and your total time in all significant participation activities exceeds 500 hours-You materially participated in the activity in any five of the prior ten years-You materially participated in a personal service activity for any three prior years-Based on all facts and circumstances, you participate for more than 100 hours in the activity on a regular, continuous or substantial basis during the yearPractically speaking, this means you’re doing the work on your rental properties rather than hiring a property manager.

I'm dealing with a similar situation, but based in California. 

@Daniel Lozowy you skip trace to find their contact info. a free way to do so is by searching the address via truepeoplesearch.com and matching that to the owner’s name you have. this is how i contact property owners when searching for deals. hope it helps!

Based on your opinion, would DFW area also be a great starting point in Texas?