I try and read at least 1 business book and 1 Real Estate book a month.Philadelphia also has some very useful online tools to access public records.I love the house hacking strategy, and think it can be easily applied in the city with a good lender. 

IE in my mind brokering deals either by flipping contracts or as a RE agent is not investing.. its sales and marketing.IN my mind an investor is buying a long term asset.So for me who builds new homes these days to sell to the retail public I don't consider my self an investor I consider my self a builder developer..

The drains tie in to public sewer.No wood or metal framing, the structure is fully RC throughout.

Some go to the auction sites such as auction.com and homesearch.com before hitting the MLS.If you are looking for properties in the foreclosure process, it public information.

However, I feel bad for the guy, and am thinking about going in and paying for half the repair, or something like that....however, I'm a newer landlord so I wanted to run this idea through the public consensus, just to see if you guys think it's a bad idea? 

This is the first year I have put them in writing for the public, I used to just write out my yearly business plan for me to see and strive for.  

I've done a lot of research (as much as publicly available) and everything seems to point to the Longview economy suffering really bad.

For example, understanding the specific things you are and aren't aloud to do as a wholesaler.. you have to be very careful when marketing your properties to the general public.

One of the many ways I use to to acquire properties that have been advertised for tax lien auction is to go directly to the property with the tax sale lien notice.If the house if vacant, I start my search for the ownerI try to make an offer to buy it or control it subject to re-sale by public auctionI sometimes make an offer to buy while doing a joint venture with the seller (I call it a hybrid offer)There are times when the owner just forgot to pay the taxes, or intends to pay them later or just buying some time until the property is sold or refinanced.If it is occupied, I just tell them that as a private service I wanted to inform them that they have rights during the tax sale procedures (I explain their rights and what options they have), many times the owner appreciates this information and may later call you to make an offer.I realize that while on my way to the tax lien property that I will be driving pass hundreds of other properties where I may see a FSBO or a vacant house that might be a prospect for me.I understand the Universal Law a Reciprocity and how it works, to give freely of your service or advise, the law says you will be rewarded sometime in the future when you don't expect it.Helping other is something you can feel good about.Being active in the field is the best way to find good deals (better than letter writing).

Ask them questions, who is the seller, what was the problem, how long was it on the market, how can you reach the sellers, let the agent know that you'll pay them a fee if they help you buy the property before the auction.....this will eliminate your competitionbe pro-active, do your research, don't just show up....you need history of the property before you bid, do this and you will succeed, do not do it and you will over-payvisit the property before the auction sale, try to find the owner, ask questions (sometimes you can stop the auction by making an offer to buy directly for the owner (always check the local laws about buying directly from owners in foreclosurs, you would be safe by using an agent, called arms length agreement, you pay the agent for this service.talk to the neighbors, find out what's going on, the history of the property and the ownership, neighbor usually love to talk and will give you some great insightsIs the house vacant, for how long, can you get inside to do an inspectioncheck the public records, what liens are on the property, what violations, back taxes, water bills etcif buying directly form the seller (using an agent), make sure you have a lien and title report to protect you from buying a property with other liens or judgementsOther ideas for you that may help you understand the auction business better:Contact auction companies (always talk to the principle of the company).