The bottom of the basement stairs hovered in thin air, rotted away. No ordinary seepage here. On this dry summer day a small stream was running through the dirt floor, a brand new washer and dryer floating on wooden pallets in the mud. Gas up and drive around. Then park, get out and walk.
Nothing beats firsthand experience to get to know a neighborhood.
If you see a house you like, maybe you'll run into the owner. Express interest without being a vulture. It's surprising how many houses are sold without ever really going on the market. Check out the web. Realtors were among the first to utilize its capabilities.