I'm trying to understand how they collect data so as to develop the best comping practices.

You can see the development in the area is in full swing.

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. 

Flips, STRs, and new developments.

Why not joint venture with someone who has money, fix & flip itWhy not rent it out for at least the monthly carrying costs.Why not sell it on a lease option, get 10% cash up front to fund school? 

Instead of buying at today’s inflated prices, I develop from the ground up, creating built-in equity and higher cash flow from Day 1.If you’re open to new construction, Columbus has great zoning options and strong rental demand.

This reduces exit options and affects the value. 10) Small number of small units is the most expensive residential development there is.

I use a spreadsheet I developed to determine my entry costs, carrying costs, cash flow, tax write offs, appreciation and exit costs.

I ran your numbers through my own development proforma analyzer and it looks really good as a DSCR loan. 

I personally like to buy in towns/neighborhoods in which no new builds are possible within 10 miles because all the land is developed.