My first self-developed software gave me efficiency.  

After awhile you develop a keen nose for ******** and you're the real deal 👍

Follow economic trends and determine which areas have the best opportunity for economic development and prosperity.At the end of the day, you're looking for investments with the highest returns. 

I'm trying to understand how they collect data so as to develop the best comping practices.

Plus, you get huge appreciation here based on how many companies are moving and developing here! 

With this data, develop your own lead gen system that works.

Contractors, unless you have a working relationship with them, normally do not want you bouncing ideas off them.Understand what their hourly rate is, have a discussion with them that you are okay with paying them an hourly rate if they walk the property with you and provide you a scope of work along with an explanation of what you can/can't get away with in regards to improvements.ask them if you go with them, if they can credit you the amount that you paid.Once you develop a working relationship with a few contractors, you can bounce ideas off them and expect quality responses.I do not invest in New York.Best of luck. 

I use a spreadsheet I developed to determine my entry costs, carrying costs, cash flow, tax write offs, appreciation and exit costs.

Too many people are sleeping on this.Kentucky Economic Development has many site ready properties in smaller areas that are ripe for rentals. 

This reduces exit options and affects the value. 10) Small number of small units is the most expensive residential development there is.