Quote from @Ryan Konen: You are correct that comping software like Privy, Propwire, and Propstream primarily rely on public records for their data, such as county assessor records, MLS feeds, and sometimes 3rd party aggregators.

@Carl Rowles as a public school teacher you may have a 403b which also sometimes offers loans!

I'm a Navy public affairs officer, so I move every couple years, but I'm currently in Germantown, TN (near Memphis), and I've been interested in RE my entire life.

That is often a matter of opinion and will depend on the attitude of your municipality.Most municipalities do not require neighborhood approval, but will offer the public opportunities to provide input which will be considered.

Once that’s confirmed, they’ll help you submit the required permits to the Department of Buildings (DOB) and get approval from the Department of Transportation (DOT), since it affects the sidewalk and street.After permits are approved, you’ll need a licensed contractor to do the construction.

We do want to settle in a little bit here while continuing to do our homework, but hope to get into something in the next 6-12 months.With the way interest rates are looking now and what little I see on public listings, I think a smaller multi-family that needs a little rehab would be the best bet. 

Without giving the individual's name, even though once it is filed it is public information, could you post the specifics they are alleging or the case number?

I want to become really good at analyzing deals, and determine the markets I should focus on.Are there any resources aside from this forum (books, journals, news publications, podcasts) that you recommend I use to learn more?

and the property had a private dwelling value appraisal much higher than the public property appraiser claims. 

And if not then just go get a public adjuster.