Perhaps displaying similarly sold homes alongside active listings for similar homes should be the extent of their pricing tools.  

As well as have the other 74 phone numbers so you can create another channel of marketing to go along side your direct mail. 

My dad wants to encourage my interest in investing in real estate (wishes he would have gotten into it himself) and wants to: a). help me and my wife get started, and b). invest alongside us.

On another note, is there room to drive along side the existing garage and still stay on the property so another garage could be built in the back yard?

Find a newbie that's trying hard and has some snap, someone who has a passion for RE and isn't simply regurgitating the same old crap everyone else is talking (faking until making)....then come along side them. 

Work alongside your contractors as an apprentice whenever they do work.

I'm also going to take up a real estate license course ... but In the meantime I wouldn't mind learning from another about investing even if its doing work at home from my computer I think having someone to work alongside with makes all the difference ..that's where I'm at this moment what about you ?

You may already know this, but your HSA can invest just like, and along side your IRA or solo 401(k).  

I've always thought about that when I see vacant lots alongside the I-8 and I-10 near me.

It's been a lot of work alongside my full time job, but it's been worth it.