Market analysis tools or websites

[Wallace Zhou]

I just want to find out what tools or websites do you use to analysis an area where you are completely unfamiliar with? The reason behind my question is that I am currently started to looking into market outside of southern CA. Since I have a CA real estate license, I join the local real estate association which I can have access to the MLS of the southern CA area. However, when it comes to the area outside of my area ( for example, northern CA or midwest of the country), it is quite hard to collect the data or run CMA. I do know that there are several websites such as zillow or redfin out there I can use to look at data, however, I found them hard to use VS. MLS. Anyone can help me out and point me to a better tools or website?