I buy houses quickly and efficiently with no cost to you and no obligation."  

A great Investing Agent will do everything in their power to locate them, and gain control over that interest in some fashion or another.  

some wonder women powers, congrats Mindy

You don't want to aimlessly wonder at 50 houses and not know what you are trying to gain, that is prob not efficient.

And then as you stated, that's assuming no compounding of the interest (which of course is the most powerful tool in the universe!)

A common theme I have come to realize is the importance and power of networking.

This is still a simple choice, yet powerful to illustrate that we can get the seller a higher purchase price for better terms. 

I'm a former contractor, specializing in "green" technologies and efficient energy use retrofits.

What would be the best or more efficient  steps to follow after you find a vacant house to find the owners?

As a result of us not being on the grounds everyday, it's an opportunity for a maintenance person or someone within property management to take advantage and charge for things that were never fixed OR not in the most efficient way possible.