How to acquire the ARV?

[Jose Arreola]

I am new to Bigger Pockets and would like to know how to come up with the ARV.

[Will Barnard]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

You have to pull sold comps from the MLS only. No other sites will be comprehensive on solds. You want to start with same beds, baths or same multifamily makeup with a 1/4 mile radius and 3 months back. When you don't have enough you slide distance radius another quarter mile and the months 3 more. Repeat until you have enough comps and sometimes you can play with the beds, baths if you have a questionable one. Proximity in my opinion is more important than recency (and farther away).

Proximity and like kind is certainly the most important, dates of comps is also important (3 months or less is best, 6 months max typically), but more important when the local market is changing rapidly so take note of that. Evaluating comps is both art and science. Knowing how to make an adjustment to a comp/subject property for differences like SF, beds/baths/amenities, etc. is crucial. Getting comps is easy, have any agent or title company pull them for you. Analyzing and adjusting is the part that takes practice/experience.