This is a site that I've found is pretty accurate when the appraisal is ordered.

These are probably not a good idea for someone just starting out since it requires you to accurately estimate the cost of repairing a building.

Not all counties have accurate data.

Here is something that I found on the web, but I don't have any idea how accurate it is.Foreclosure rules vary from state to state and I don't think anyone wants to give you bad information.

So basically if I can invest in LA, I would have but at this moment there is just no way I am going to take on such a big gamble on a slowing market.

I can get an accurate # within a few minutes because now I know what types of costs I am looking at for kitchen replacements, light fixtures, doors, etc.

So now you need to familiarize yourself with rehab costs so you can make the determination on marketability of the property quickly and accurately.

Construction Items required in a Preliminary Package1.Project description (which includes number of units, proposed pricing of units, total costs, per plan costs, profits, proposed equity and proposed loan amount, any subordinated debt)2.Project cash flow3.Location map4.Cost breakdown 5.Market study - if available (an internal or third party study)6.Sequence list (including lot number, plan number, base price, proposed premiums) 7.Biography or resume of key management8.Authorization/Release for Business and Principal9.Borrower’s Certificate of Past Credit Relationships (attached)10.Banking references and two sub-contractor or supplier references (attached)11.List of all current projects (location, price range, size range, sales rate, JV partner, lender) (attached)12.Financial Statements for borrowing entity and guarantor(s) (attached)a)Current financial statements, indicate book value or market value basisb)Statements must accurately report all assets and all liabilities (include contingencies)c)Statements must be signed and datedd)Signed tax returns for past two years (please include all K1’s)13.Financial Statement Certification (attached)14.Tax Return Certification (attached)15.

However if you don't what to run to a Realtor everytime you need comps, then I recommend a combination of the local county tax records and a service like RealQuest.com (paid service, however covers most of the country and is very accurate, in my experience.)

., as close to the subject as possible, in all of these areas, in order to have an estimated range of value that is going to be anywhere close to accurate.