I'm now in a situation where I'd like to start evaluating properties with a local agent who's familiar with the BRRRR strategy, house hacking, and can help me out with my  goals in purchasing a new duplex in the Long Beach area (most likely south of the 405).

I was a senior in college studying business management, evaluating my personal financial situation, and determined to be a wise steward of my first paycheck after I graduated, knowing I’d be climbing my way out of about $20,000 of student debt and several grand in auto loans.WhIle searchIng for somethIng productIve to lIsten to on a jog I found the bIggerpockets podcast.Ive learned more from BP than I ever dId In college.Despite math, my wife and I made the personal choice that we’d pay off our student and car loans before we got started.Fast forward three years later we paid everything off and saved $20,000.

We can also evaluate on square footage of properties with similar finishes. 

You can often call the utility company and get the past monthly average for the two years which might help.2: be sure to account for exterior maintenance including snow removal.All that said, if you are this far into evaluating, go take a look and see if it is something worth pursuing further.

They should be able to help you evaluate this.

Flip some to help buy holds :)@Thomas S. so when evaluating cashflow you run the numbers with 100% financing? 

I would get your affairs in order at home and then evaluate market rents and raise it in the spring. 

There's typically two schools of thought on how to evaluate costs:LPTA: Lowest Price, Technically Acceptable.

Are there some red flags which I need to ask or check for in evaluating the application?

It had been a rental for 3 years, so it was time to evaluate.