I have a backround in computer networking, therefore I am more tech savvy than most Realtors.

A closer look allows you:1) To confirm if the house is vacant2) You will start to see some houses with REO letters (bank owned), I avoid, lock boxes (means someone has an interest in the property already) avoid, Tenant eviction notice (has landlords contact info and they will be motivated), foreclosure notices etc.3) You will get a chance to network since you are out of the car- you will meet neighbors, where you can get the story on the house, contractors (mowers, handymen etc. which can give you info on the house as well as several others)4) You get to understand the condition of the property by seeing it up close.Driving your farm are in my opinion is highly recommended at least once a month (a lot happens in a neighborhood in a month), but is still one out of the 10 or more you should regularly doing to find these properties.Personally I feel there is a moral obligation if I am going to put a property under contract that I have the intention of closing it myself if I can not find a buyer.

Network

Or is gaining this type of vital info a function of the strength of your personal network and just hitting the streets for the pulse of the market?

I found that decent networking abilities works just as well as having your licence.

Before the foreclosure bubble exploded, my network of mortgage/real estate friends were noticing that lenders were not filing/reporting NOD's so as not to impact their reserve requirements negatively, which concealed the extent of the problem from the public for some time.

I'm pretty new to this site. Just want to see if there's any active members out there from the Pittsburgh, PA area that would be interested in exchanging information, ideas, goals, ect.

I'd spend my time networking with money providers referred by people who aren't going to get a cut by sending you to some marketing website.

LOve the site looking to network with other investors and wholesalers.

I have been totally slacking on the whole networking aspect of investing.