Also I've found pepper spray to work alright and I don't have to go to jail after I pull the trigger on pepper spray....That being said, I've also returned deposits to people that may not deserve it back, but they were nice to me and made my life as easy as they could.....I like to reward that behavior too.  

In other instances it is best to mix up three methods and compare the prices thereof.As a newbie investor I have begun to use Zillow, but it doesn't seem to be reliable. 

While some of this info is from Zillow, which isn't known for its accuracy, comparable houses in the neighborhood have sold for similar prices.

In order to do this, you need to pull at least 3 comparables (Houses that have sold within a quarter mile of that house in the last 6 months at most).

Although, San Diego has proven to be a great market for appreciation (compared to cash flow).

Investors in NC dont pay 3x property taxes compared to residents. 

This lets us compare what we are doing to how she does things, but still keeps us involved.  

I've seen very many posts here on BP from foreign nationals on how different (and often frustrating) the US banking system is, compared to their own.

Those loans are not difficult to obtain, in fact, I would say that they are easier to get comparing to conventional financing.

If you're dead set on owning a house, find a smoking hot deal that will reward you for purchasing it.