But try this: https://www.homewyse.com/services/cost_to_estimate_home_remo...Let me ask you this.....I was even considering offering a service to 'walk the property' via video conference and throw out some rough numbers....do you think that would help people?

BP offers free online videos and educational courses for you to watch and learn from.

The most relevant exceptions are the last three above in bold.Theres a lot of noise about the topic and its very confusing but the above are the actual rules atleast regarding conventional fannie/freddie financing. 

I have actually used them, and worked with their principal in that video they are OK.  

It helps determine if the project will meet the desired profit margins.CoC (Cash on Cash Return): I find this particularly important for fix-and-flip projects, as it measures the actual cash return on the cash you’ve invested, giving a clear picture of short-term profitability.Cap Rate (Capitalization Rate): While more commonly used for rental properties, it’s useful in understanding the potential income from a property relative to its price.IRR (Internal Rate of Return): This is a great metric for longer-term projects or those with varying cash flows, as it takes into account the time value of money.Some investors might overlook metrics like AAR (Average Annual Return) or EM (Equity Multiple) if they’re not as relevant to their specific strategy.

Set up Keyword alerts, since you're in Santa Barbara you can set up an alert for "Santa Barbara" or "Southern California" or "beach" to be alerted when someone posts on the forums that may be relevant or interesting to you! 

Right now I’ve just been watching BP videos and just bought a real estate investing book on amazon.

I saw exactly what you are talking about in a youtube video but wanted to get a second opinion.

I'll shoot you a DM with the relevant stats.  

This way, you can be updated on relevant topics and connect with experts in the strategies you are interested in.All the best as you look to expand your portfolio!