Act like a bird dog and drive for dollars.  

So I'll be studying for that, driving for dollars with my husband (looking around when stuck at traffic lights every 10 yards) and (in addition to the podcasts) reading what every real estate investor needs to know about cash flow).

You should also try to connect with local inventors thru your local REI meet ups.  

That was enough for me to not even do a night time drive through like I always do with any house I'm thinking of buying.That is my humble 2 cents.

I will also purchase some more generic mail pieces and drive for dollars in my area.

These people have not paid taxes and the property will eventually go to some sort of tax sale if not paid off.Vacant/Abandoned (Driving for dollars) You'll likely have to skip trace the owner to try to contact them.

Personally I prefer literally walking vs. driving, but my areas of interest are more urban. 

@Alisha Decoteau I would start by walking and driving the neighborhoods at different times of the day.

If you give $20 each time you walk thru and you do 3 showings you spent $60 but got $1,000 rent for June you otherwise would have missed.

I soon made it a habit of listening to the BP podcasts while driving to and from my full-time job over the past few weeks.