When analyzing a deal, the expenses data available (opex, vacancy, PM, capex, etc.) is at the time of purchase.

Crime data.

Many, if not most, want to have this data, but a very high % don't calculate monthly performance.

If you feel like you are scraping by, you might need to downsize the apartment, go out less, eat out less, cook more, etc.

Then, at that point, why not just join the MLS for a few hundred dollars more and have access to comps and tax data?

If there's a hole, it may be a red flag.b) sensitivity analysis: I examine all the assumptions, and make sure I can live with the worst case scenarios.c) "Stall and see": if they are getting money over multiple years, and there is no penalty for investing later, I would usually wait so I get some real performance data, versus having to look at theoretical pro forma information.d) Recession stress test: I will not invest in anything, until I subject it to recession level stress and see if I can live with the result.

The data is undeniable that there’s so much existing and future need for more capacity.

@Bijan SabbaghiYou don’t that’s the challenge - we pull data from several places as a note holder and for example and currently we see less than 20% actually going to foreclosure as most are ending in bankruptcy right now due to borrowers equityThe ones that are under water are typically going back to the bank.Best bet is to find properties where deceased or maybe divorced to get higher chance of actually going to foreclosure

Tools like Zillow, Redfin, or even MLS data (if you have access) can help.Good Luck!

So here is what I do:1 - Get buyer criteria for what they are looking for (exact criteria)2 - Go source that criteria using data provider3 - Scrub the list and plan a marketing campaign around it (i.e) > Direct Mail > Cold Call > SMS > Online Ads > Social Media, etc4 - Once I get inbound leads coming in.