Ride around find a home that has been vacant for a few years contact the bank that holds the title make a low ball offer, if I was looking for a home the first one I would low ball is the one on the corner of old gentleman road and trumbo road its been empty for 3 or so years now, rumor has it the basement flooded when the sump was not working I am sure their is many other things you can point out that would greatly lower the price.
Plenty of really old farm houses setting empty that has barns you can use for a shop, too hot to do anything fire up the car with a/c start driving and looking rather than setting in front of the TV
The job of a Realtor is to fu_k you out of as much money as they can, THEY ARE NOT YOUR FRIEND avoid them at every cost, they will do the leg work find you a house you like cheap then pocket 30k 40k for one days work, you pocket the 30k - 40k by getting off your ass start looking doing research
don't buy that shit "I work for you not the seller" bullshit they work for themselves and will do what ever it takes to make the most.
Find out the names of the people who the banks hire to clean out these houses they for closed on or people gave back to the bank their is a few here in the area.
See a house that has been empty for a while stop go look at it most have a letter on the door or picture window with contact numbers who is in charge of the home and numbers you can call if you have a complaint about the home, grass too tall etc. call them find out who you call to make your low ball offer.
Research the taxes before you buy talk to the banks and the county ask them to tell you exactly what your going to pay in taxes now the property your buying is worth 1/2 what they have been taxing it for in the past.
Serious about buying one let me know I will go with you and pick it apart, let me inspect it first, I have been remodeling working on houses of all types since I was 10 years old and was following my dad around helping him in his remodels and flips, every house I looked at for the daughter I found at least 10 items the home inspectors and banks missed these clowns are doing it for a living and are completely clueless .