Keep in mind many of the benefits you get as a member which include discounted MLS membership as well as access to NVAR contracts and forms.

Some cities will list the property owner on their assessor website for free; some don't but you may be able to find out the owner by contacting the assessor's office.In my PA market I can either pay to have access to the database with the property owner's names or I can call the lady in the office and she'll tell me.

They would invest it in a portfolio of deals that I likely don’t have access to and that produce a higher return than my single duplex. 

For example, if you are looking to connect with other members near you, want to learn from people in a specific area you’d like to invest in, or have a desire to find people interested in certain topics, you could start your search here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/search/usersThere are a few self-contained guides that you can access here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides

I have heard MLS which I can't access and driving around neighborhoods but I am not from the Atlanta area (currently live in South FL) so that's not possible.

There are a few ways to access that equity.

Of course, the city has lots of access to data which is important for building lists to market to, but a little hustle can get you similar results in the burbs. 

Hey guys, forgive the ignorance, im new to real estate and would like to get my feet wet, looking for info online i stumbled upon wholesale real estate investing, I live in Phoenix,Az where the market is ridiculous at the moment, is it even possible to find a good deal and sell it as is to investors to make a profit, where do you even find these hidden gems, Im in the car business and whole sellers buy at dealer auctions (need license to access) and re sell for profit at other auctions.Not looking for real estate agents so please to send me messages marketing me.

He has a visa restriction and can't show second source of income beside his day job.

Deed Restrictions, Moratoriums and Bans on vacation rentals also do not work.