Just keep track of the big ticket items and make sure to carry a bit more than you think something costs to fix.After having done a few flips, I don't really need to look at kitchens and baths, it is fairly easy to get a price figured out for one just by knowing the area and quality of the finished product.

I'm trying to figure out how much debt this property will carry forward and need to be offset by my other income to know if I can afford to build another property.

As with every discussion regarding training of tenants those opposed always look at the suggested as a given action to be carried out as opposed to a threat/deterrent. 

Rentals are more predictable and carry less risk.

Many big box hardware stores will change the brands they carry literally every single year making it impossible to find what you had installed the year before.

In-fact, if you are buying residential (1-4 units) and willing to live in one while you reposition the property, you may be able to manage a down payment as low as 5% (SFH & duplex) or 10% (3 - 4 units) ... whether your new "business" will carry itself at 90 - 95% LTV will depend on where you live and how well you purchased.    

They will then defend this price by saying something like "current rents are below market, they could easily be raised to X, Y or Z"  or, "the landlord is presently carrying the utilities, you could put them back in the hands of the tenants"These are both improvements to the business which should improve the free cash flow the business throws off.  

You could say I'm an idealist at heart, but I don't let my idealism carry me away from the practical aspects of investing.  

A good realtor should be able to negotiate things like closing date (on maybe the 6th or 7th of the month), seller carry back if needed (or useful), personal property to be included in the price, closing costs, buyer credits back for items in need of repair, home warranty, the list goes on.  

Hi Carrie,Transunion seems to have a good site. https://www.mysmartmove.com/