., major systems like plumbing/electrical)Full Gut/Studs Down: $85-$120 per sq. ft.Luxury Finishes: $150+ per sq. ft.For ARV (After Repair Value), you’re absolutely right—it’s all about comparable sales ("comps").

Would that be, for example, if the PM says, "I manage a duplex for John Smith in Turlock," then I call John as a reference, ask John a few questions, and then ask John the address of his duplex so I can later look it up on the county website and verify if he is the owner?

I struggle with podcasts because they show a slice but not usually a start-to-finish how-to and you could invest countless hours (like I did) listening to many podcasts to piece things together.

@Chris SeveneyI agree it is not the most professional website I have seen.

The state website can also be very informative. 

I can accurately estimate utility costs as most util companies have estimated usages and amounts on their websites, but costs like maintenance, CapEx, make ready, etc., are much harder to estimate.

I just finished The Book On Rental Property Investing by Brandon Turner, and it made me even more excited and determined about getting into this business.

He offers really good service, great cost effectiveness, and currently finished one in just around 3 months. 

For example, if I buy a house for $100,000 from a wholesaler that should have a market value of $200,000 after I finish putting in $50,000 to repair the house, then the appraiser and the bank penalized me by giving me a lower loan for getting the house so cheap.

Unfortunately - my current lot for my primary is 1 acre and VERY sloped, and close to a water source (creek), so the county has not even allowed me to permit my downstairs finished basement without an extremely costly renovation to our septic (over $60,000, and that doesn't count demo'ing and replacing our driveway to get to the existing tank and leachfield), and even if I could permit it, it would essentially need to be a treehouse in the redwoods due to the slope (not a bad idea though, I would actually love a livable treehouse on this lot!