I admire your willingness to take some steps and recognize that buying multiple properties and even markets is smart.

Here's how I approach it:- Acknowledge the Seller’s Perspective: First, I make sure to recognize that the seller might think they could net more by going directly through a realtor.

I saw that Crazy documentary long time ago and it’s crazy how the authorities/court don’t even recognize these as bogus.  

each area has nice features but they are different in valuation >the ranking's in Neighborhood scout don't give any scale.neighborhoodscout provides percentages in addition to the numeric comparison score I find more useful because it is not as easy to recognize if a certain percentage is good or bad over a period of time.  

“Every person licensed pursuant to this chapter shall include his license number in: (a) all construction contracts; (b) subcontracts and calls for bid; and (c) all forms of advertising, as prescribed by the registrar of contractors, used by such a person.”Only times I’ve been given some excuse on this, the bidder was not a licensed contractor, while claiming to be such.

Give yourself grace and recognize your progress so far. 

I think what most borrowers fail to recognize is that real estate is a long play.  

Yes theoretically the CD should be recognized in court, but there could be quite a fight about that one.  

You may advertise, show, and collect rents, but nothing else.

No deals are advertised as great deals way below market.