I currently am using spokeo, white pages, dc public data base sites like court cases online etc...

One problem I am having is getting good comps for several of the leads that I have ...I am using Redfin.com mainly ...because I do not have access to the MLS ...I heard allot of bad things about Zillow and trulia not giving accurate comps ...what is your opinion?

I am using 10 years in the example, but in some states it could be 5-7 years.

I am used to residential and when buying homes on the mls I've got places to buy a warranty for them. 

Maybe I am using the information I find on those sites incorrectly?

I'm not huge on rentals, but when I am using them in the shorter term, I would look at each of those and make an assumption as to the how much on-going costs will be, in terms of insurance, taxes, wear and tear, utilities, vacancy.

However, I'm not finding a lot of tools to help track ROI performance of [rental] properties.I am using Quicken Rental Property Manager.

The town is Keansburg NJ which doesnt have the greatest reputation but is by the bay and has a popular amusement area.

thanks everyone. my wife is on board with my plans. its not something that really interests her but she is willing to run errands for me during the day when she has a chance. she works part time and is a full time student as well as cares for our son. i am currently starting to network and find and go to any existing reia groups within an hour or two from me. i am away from home from 430am to 6pm currently having to commute the way that i am but i am using the ferry ride to search online for deals and using my work day to educate myself with pocasts and audiobooks. next on me list is gathering a list of agents to find one that knows what investors are looking for and one to put me on a list so i can be notified when new property hits the market. as well as networking with others a lot more. i am having my wife go to the court house next week while im at work to get a foreclosure list for the last 8 months in my area so i can start also making call and reaching out to the property owners while im making deliveries during the day. im also doing more research on the various owner financing and creative financing option i can use to make my first purchases. with my credit still being low and my debt not fully paid off it has left me with almost a nonexistenting saving account. also we lost my mother and father in law within six weeks of each other in the last 5 months. it has been a rough road financially in the past few months. but i am finding other options and will figure out another way to get it done. i never want my family to be in this situation financially again. i want to be able to be present in my family life and be there for my son throughout his life as well as pass something down to him. these are my goals and i will make them happenthanks again everyonegotta get back to work for now :)Matthew

I am using a private lender for the down payment and am negotiating with the owner for owner financing otherwise I will use a mortgage broker.