@Gerald Harris  Yes I have a real estate agent and I am sure she will be helpful, but I like to be self-sufficient to a certain degree as well.

I've not attended the Plano event before and I'm not planning on it but I know that several associates of mine have had a ton of success at the Collin Cnty Tax Sale...  

A "real estate broker" is any person, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, association, professional corporation, or corporation, foreign or domestic who, for another, and for a compensation or valuable consideration, does, or attempts to do, any or all of the following...In Utah, we have a list of exceptions including being a principal on a transaction.  

There is a standard NC rental contract out there but you might need to be a member of the Realtor association to use it. 

The associated formulas and limits can also get rather convoluted, so I could see why you're confused.

Because appraisers and banks use the comparable sales approach for 1-4 units then it becomes important only to the degree it helps or hinders your ability to get financing.

@Jae h Kim with those numbers any increase in association fee and you will be out even more.  

It may be price or association fees.    

there's also facebook (search their names and the associates/relatives found in beenverified) 

I am not sure exactly where you are at in your investing career or what exactly you are looking to get into but if you end up investing in St Clair County I would highly recommend the Port Huron Area Landlord Association.