What has work for me in the past is just picking a few target zip codes pulling how many cash sales are in that area then deciding if It would be a good area for me to farm numbers and start calling around to gauge motivation!

And believe me I've tried researching ten's, if not hundreds, of cities, towns, and zip codes, but I can't seem to find an area that is good for me.Following J Scott's advice in his book, I'm looking for a few things.

My guess would be the people that promoted the "wholesaling" game didn't mention these facts!

I bet, other people get hooked up on this as well due to watching BP Ytube There are plenty of good info and really interesting people on BP but since it's a commercial site, I expect there would be some payment for promotion 

Alviso is under sea level and the building codes now require that all new buildings have elevated 1st floors, so I am sure they are in a flood zone. 

I stick to two zip codes - that is it.

Fortunately, code changes, practices become modernized, and not all electrical work is actually done by an electrician.

@Patti Robertson The seller gave me a list of repairs that were supposed to be up to code for section 8.

And it was a volume play. so in conclusion  if you want to go investor route in my mind you have to be totally selective. and anyone asking for investor friendly agent is code for probably going to waste your time.

Install key code locks.