I am not sure the average investor really is able to evaluate most of these investments esp if they are just doing $5K in each deal type of thing.

At the very least, the local title company should be helpful, I would think.I would expect you'd need to involve some type of transactional funding so you can do two transactions: foreclosure to you (auction sale), then sale to end buyer.

But don't forget that at that price point and the unit type, and the average income in Aberdeen you are probably going to be dealing with C to D Tenants and will have higher costs.And then you have the condo:Rent is 1,740 let's assume the same 45% because there are some cost savings from being in a condo (but they come back as 'Special Assessments') for $957.  

There are a number of people who fund these types of buys that are legit including some of the better known people on here.

And once I find the properties, I go into my County Assessor (http://assessor.lacounty.gov), but I can't seem to find where I would type in the addresses?

Remember that there are many types of loans.

I had 2 deals close to an agreement with 2 different retiring investors but since I'm new to the area and type of investing I was not going to budge on my strike price.

I wouldn't plan on using either of these types of loans for a short term flip.

Rent for these types of houses in my area go about 850 on a conservative estimate.

What type of homes you are looking for?