@Joe Splitrock, props on the cool name! 

Here are some recommendations for you:Find and connect with other BP members that are in your area: http://www.biggerpockets.com/meetSet up keyword alerts to be notified of the topics that interest you: http://www.biggerpockets.com/alertsRead Beginner’s Guide: http://www.biggerpockets.com/real-estate-investingCheck out BP Podcasts: http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/category/podcast/If you wish to tag someone in the conversation on the forum, type @ followed by their name and then select the name of that person which should appear below the comments box.

that is a pen name, the actual author is a private equity veteran, but he didn't want to be seen to promoting himself or his company, written very wellPodcaststhere are a few, but I think the RealCrowd series is really high quality.   

Man, this is like forgetting the name of a song.

So far I believe I found only occupied property (not vacant land) on the county sites and it is confusing, it shows a person name and shows delinquent, but when you look at the tax history, it shows they owe $0 and everything is paid up. 

 all awesome info...I relate to this as I am often out of country..I have bought through trusted eyes for a buy/hold, never a flip.....could you chime in on either..1.regarding an online auction purchase, and seemingly growing trend... they seem to all say "as is", no contingencies, no views, no diligence...how in goodness name can you confidently make an offer on an online auction w/ no walk through contingency?

I posted that I am looking to purchase a home for cash...Not sure if this is the norm, but my first reply to my post came in today which simply stated:her name.. the addresses of her 2 properties and her email along with the sentence"looking to sell 2 investment properties"Now I'm not sure if this is the norm to get emails like this... which ends up becoming misleading... or is a true lead.I don't want to celebrate this small win of mine just yet.... as I'm not sure if I am missing something here.To be honest, i JUSt started getting into wholesaling and I am looking to test the waters on Craigslist. 

My name is Dave Senter.

They have not returned the keys yet and the utilities are still in their name. 

Here is what I had to do to open the account:1- Had tenant fill out a W9 and send me his birthdate.2- Gave the tenant a standard receipt when he gave me the security deposit (my name as recipient, amount of security deposit which can not be more than one month's rent, date received, address (aka description) of rental property)3- Once the security deposit was deposited, I took the W9, copy of the lease and the tenant's birthdate into TD Bank along with my ID.