I work and live in Chicago in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood and my biggest concern is that so many people who live here, are not in a position or perceive they are not to take advantage of the changes. 

I think the class c neighborhoods there have potential.  

Search the owner name, work backwards thru property appraiser/clerk if court site.

I think right now the neighborhood is more of a renter community right now, but in the future these houses or duplexes could be sold for way more than it cost to build them.

@Josh Hackett  If you want to follow @Jay Hinrichs advice, do a search for local business brokers. 

When looking from the eyes of a renter in DFW, I see a big gap in rents between a “dated” home and updated homes of the same type/neighborhood.

Search through BP for asbestos.

I am a new real estate entrepreneur searching for multi family homes in SE Michigan.  

I don't have any desire to own many units in different cities; I would much rather invest here in my own neighborhood.

In conjunction with your own searches, network with a local agent (you can probably find someone on BP) by e-mailing them or taking them for coffee.