Commercial Revenue Generating properties like office buildings, apartment buildings, retail centers, etc (banks call it "CRE" lending) are typically evaluated from their net operating income, not gross.

I want to know more about the area and build a team that can help me purchase and manage properties.   

We are considering building and holding townhomes but need to determine the costs.  

You have to find a zip code that has a prevalence of multifamily and a pathway to build multifamily.

The ability to get funding in just a few days can make a world of difference, allowing investors to act quickly and lock in the best opportunities.I’m curious, in your experience, what strategies have you found most effective for building strong relationships with reliable direct lenders?

Good luck with the team-building :) that is the most important phase, without which, growth and scalability will be hard to achieve!

•Our company has proprietary AI models designed to accurately assess listing quality through images, which would power this feature.2.Smart Weighting:•Automatically weigh comps based on their reliability.

A skilled property manager understands tenant segments and their behaviors, which helps attract reliable renters.

Quote from @Matt McNabb: I'm a solid $400k/yr job in NYC and have $250k to begin investing as my first step into building a portfolio, although I don't have time to be a landlord so I have to account for management fees.  

Building a trusted team is key, so starting that process as you actively search for your market will put you in a strong position moving forward.