When you're evaluating the credibility of a hard money lender, here are some key steps and considerations:Checking Credibility:Reputation and Reviews: Look for online reviews and testimonials.

Every property in a location can perform differently based on many different variables.Just find properties you like and evaluate them individually. 

While agreeing that it creates bias, can someone recommend another real estate site that includes the crime map layer as it is critical for evaluating a rental purchase, especially as an out-of-state investor?

 @Shravan Hemchand Prior to pulling the trigger on a Cost Seg study, you should evaluate 2 things:1 - How much net additional deprecation tax deductions a Cost Seg study would provide: Best way to get this is by requesting a free feasibility analysis from a Cost Seg provider.

I've recently been turned on to the space after having difficulties finding multifamily properties that will cash flow in my area (to @Paul Moore point about the market being overheated).How did you go about finding and evaluating storage opportunities?

It is hard to evaluate this deal without more of the underwriting assumptions shown.  

Is there a way to accurately evaluate the repair cost of this kind of issue? 

Hey Zachary I think it's essential to look beyond mere interest rate differentials and focus on strategic benefits, particularly if scaling your portfolio is a long term goal.Key considerations:Pre-payment penalties: Determine if the HELOC has any penalties, impacting your flexibility payoff.Scaling strategy: Evaluate the scalability and limitations of each financing option.Advantage of HML: Allows scaling without hard credit pulls, and no pre-payment penalties.Holding costs: Factor in not just interest rate differences but also ancillary expenses as well as overall goals of scaling.Example scenario:Property purchase for $120,000 with $30,000 renovation.

I always advise potential buyers to carefully evaluate the specific HOA's fees, services, and management practices while performing their due diligence. 

The more property you inspect, the more of an expert you will become in your area.Once you feel comfortable with inspecting properties, learning the right questions to ask, understanding your local market, and HOW to evaluate each potential deal, THEN you will know a good opportunity when you stumble upon it.You can transfer those skills into looking at other markets and will have some clues as to what makes a good deal.