This one is simple: every time you go somewhere, the grocery store, your kids school, anywhere, take a different route each time. Pay attention to the for sale signs, the condition of the neighborhood, the type of cars parked in the driveways, everything.
When you are back through that same neighborhood, notice if the far sale signs are on the same houses, or if they have been removed.
Stop and pick up real estate flyers out of the flyer boxes -- if you find any houses where the listing agent isn't too lazy to top off the flyer box when it gets empty.
That will give you a feel for the neighborhoods, and it will also give you a gut feel for what is a good deal when you see it.
