So what I'm asking is if there's a better way to estimate CapEx on a property during preliminary analysis, i.e., without having to go to the state where it's located and asking around, i say this because there has to be a good way to estimate these things before going deep into the dealAny insights on this guys?

I estimated this to cost me $300,000 to scale.

with our estimates for both income & expenses on this property.  

The estimated cost of the home build is a minimum of $650k.

Some pros:- You'll have plenty of cookie-cutter comps so you should be able to get a very accurate estimate of ARV and/or sale price in the case of a flip.- Your maintenance and repairs will be mostly limited to the interior of the property as the condo management will maintain the building- You won't have to worry about tenants maintaining the grounds around the buildingCons:- Condo fees may change drastically over time and it's largely not in your control- Condo bylaws can be tough to work around.

My biggest two cents is no one should flip unless they are the best at estimating ARV in their room--better than the appraiser, agent, lender--when that happens, your deals will fall into line. 

Now you might be like Joe, know rents for a couple of neighborhoods and can quickly estimate expected cash flow from properties pretty quickly (that's what I do as well) but you still need a screening rule so you invest minimal times on properties you will never put an offer in on. 

I just trying to estimate how long it will take the the heaving to settle once I repair the leaks so I can start rehabing the house.   

"In a 2016 paper, Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, estimated that full privatization of Fannie and Freddie would cost the typical American taking out a new mortgage $1,200 annually.

Cashflow – the numbers look good and give me leeway if I have underestimated renovation costs, over estimated rental income achievable or make other mistakes I am not aware of yet!