Thats a lot of work that a company would have to do and they would want their money back on the development costs.

My first self-developed software gave me efficiency.  

I looked into this at more than one occasion, because Milwaukee has such an old housing stock, everything is 60-120 years old.Most of the new apartments we see are 4 and 5 star developments with very high rents, this allows to offset the high cost of construction a little better.

OK being a life long CA and selling and developing land here for 50 years..

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.

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

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

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.