If you're going into any other county then yes usually the county website the easiest option. 

After you’ve done a few deals of that type of strategy you can move on.I think a live-in flip or house hacking is a great way to get your feet wet in rental investing, especially if you can find a duplex or so and live in one half and rent out the other half.

Use the 30k for one down payment which will cover half of the cost of an apartment or split it in two and get maybe 2 apartments?

Because half the goal was to find a good home, completely covering the mortgage was not mandatory.

I haven't received the 2nd half ($550) or a phone call so I am getting ready to evict.

I haven't received the 2nd half ($550) or a phone call so I am getting ready to evict.

But if he's doing it without the owner's knowledge and/or skimming rents and telling them the houses are still vacant, then he's taking a terrible risk of losing his license and facing criminal charges.6 of one, half dozen of the other. 

You can’t just drag in half a dozen trailers and put up a for rent sign in the yard.

But the reality for an agent is, finding a buyer for a good investment deal is the easiest part of this business.

Thats how I got started and felt like it was the easiest strategy to get into real estate.