There are some great deals in Orlando, Las Vegas and Phoenix areas.

Go there and mingle, network, be friendly, and ask other investors who they use for their deals.You will usually have a few of the same names pop up.Trust me, it works.Good luck.Big HenryPS - Here are three below to get you started, no excuses, now go network;)1)www.realestateclubla.com2) http://www.thenorrisgroup.com/free_resources/california_investment_clubs/southern-california-real-estate-investors-association/3)http://www.meetup.com/socalreic/The ones you have listed are about 1 hour drive or so depending on the traffic. there was one right i here where I live but they guy who ran it mooved to las vegas.

I am currently looking at a market within the Las Vegas, or Phoenix area at this time.

In Omaha, we saw a pretty minor dip in prices, maybe 20% or 30% max..... far more subtle than other markets like Vegas, Phoenix, Etc.Again, welcome. 

FLA they came back up Vegas they came back up.. and Texas has had some appreciation but I think prop tax's keep it mellow on that end.. although Austin is an outlier.with mid west its not values that are the risk its buying in the right asset class.. and most of the cities are interchangeable. 

I live in Vegas so I'm familiar with what goes on here in town.  

I'm looking in Las Vegas and with all the houses turning into rentals I thought an HOA might give my house an extra edge in value preservation and/or appreciation.Am I nuts, or does this make sense to others?

I am currently living in Las Vegas but I have family in St Louis.

Vegas is another option :-P .

At a conference in Vegas one of the attendees was claiming that they pull MLS data, but that it only works well in the larger markets.