(Buying great deals and managing those deals effectively).

We understand some investors may not open or read the email invitations for these calls, so we have addressed a more effective process to ensure no investor is left without know about the monthly update calls.  

This alone was most effective.

I don't work on houses, but I have to use B and A-basis values for material strength which in effect means the real material will end up being 20%+ stronger (depend on the material).  

Take control, right the ship best as possible and then effect what liquidating event is best possible to recoup as much capital as possible.     

With inventory tightening and competition increasing, what strategies have been most effective for sourcing truly undervalued properties?

Many people start out active because they want exposure to real estate and don't know that you can start out passive - you can effectively hire the asset manager and supply capital to the investment.You can have great success as an active or a passive investor - but it is important to understand the difference and to select whichever option matches your skills and resources the best.Good luck!

Strong jobs reports had a larger effect on the 10 year treasury, followed by strong retail sales numbers, followed by EU inflation numbers, then followed by election results but honestly election results only affected rates for a couple of days.Lots of pressure on treasuries from the level of debt the US is carrying, but remember the Fed is also still doing quantitative tightening (while cutting rates) which is additional upward pressure on rates.

Do you recommend using a general contractor, or would it be more cost-effective to handle it myself with subcontractors?

I do think its more effective because you get to see whats out there.