Welcome to BP, if you spend time scanning the forums, you will definitely find some really helpful hints and tips on any topic.

The free to low money down events are to scrub people to see who has money to spend or not.These programs tend to give basic information on how to do things.What investors need is other LOCAL investors who are closing deals in those markets.

I'd like to spend my energy now on foreclosures and pre-foreclosures.

Spend $200K on lottery tickets and hope to win mega-millions.  

In regards to question of membership, its worth it but you should come to that realization before spending on it which I think you will. 

If you are going to spend money, I would get an appraisal done.  

You might spend 350 for the hour and not get this deal but you then have the correct knowledge for future deals.

If experienced, spend a morning at the courthouse reviewing actual files and listening in on actual courtroom hearings.

I used an online school and was able to spend 7 to 10 hours a day studying.

These are Fannie Mae Forclosures.Other ways are driving around, "driving for dollars" looking at individual bank websites for REO.s, Keep looking, I do spend a lot of time on the computer, but automating searches is a great way to get instant notifications of properties you may be interested in!