Making local contacts and starting to get bids is easiest way to get accurate pricing for that area - doesn't hurt to get a second opinion and verify prices. 

If you have no job, no income or don't want to verify your taxes....thats where I come in.Good luck landing that first deal.Jason

If there aren't current leases, how have you verified they are in good standing and pay their rent on time? 

I know we cannot take any eviction action during Covid-19 due to state regulations, but does anyone have more information on this program or if there is a way to verify that this payment is coming? 

Trust YET verify.

Verify the plumbing, mechanicals were working correctly before and after the tenant.

In the end it's always best to verify with people familiar with the property of what they think it could get with a good renovation as well, talk to whoever put the listing up and just ask about the area/similar listings and try and verify through that person that your comps/ARV that you estimated are accurate to what the market is demanding.There is a good PDF somewhere here on BP about how to accurately run comps as well, the resources are out there!

Would recommend a very well screened property management company (PMC) or an actual insepctor.You would need to send Scope of Work (SOW) to either and them alert  them of what they need to verify is done at reasonable time intervals or tied to a request for more funds.An agent has no skin in the game, like a PMC, or expertise like an inspector, so your probability for a disaster is higher. 

Existing student houses out of the zone are grandfathered but you have to verify they are in good standing with the city to make sure you'll be able to rent them to students.

Also trust but verify.