Then after a week he switches back to his trusty camel non filters , buys a pit bull and invites his wild drunken buddies over for weekend parties .

One CAN figure out approximately how much a property sold for even if it's not listed in the records:  extrapolate the transfer taxes (state/county/city) and multiply out.Just an aside:  I remember back in the day when the appraisals were coming in short in an appreciating market (something like we have today) we would ask the buyer to pay MORE money for the transfer taxes (no law about not paying more taxes) and it would help show a higher "sales" price and help 'push' up the comps--not recommending you do that now--much more data available for all eyes.But I would recommend that you buddy up with a like-minded realtor, and work out a mutually beneficial arrangement so you can get the info you need, and they can get listings, sales, referrals, etc, that they need.Better yet, get licensed yourself and get to know the business from the inside out!

My little brother was stabbed 4 times with me trying to put his ear back together as it was split in half and the bottom half of his ear flopping down the side of neck macking sure hes ok, trying to help my buddys from being stabbed themselves with no success findind out when the ambulance got there that my brother was on the brink of death by blood loss and friend being slashed but not being able to feel it because of the adrenaline or see it because his clothes were covering his cut while shaking off the brass knuckle hits to the back of my head, i was shook.

I do have a decent network of college buddies spread across the country, and there's always the potential to team up with them for the right deal in the right market. 

And as a side note to this, i have tried everything I can to remain respectful, but not become "buddy-buddy" with them.

About 10 years ago, I re connected with my buddy.

If it is an older house then nothing probably even got designed and it was grandpa building it with his buddies.

It’s run by my good wholesaler buddy Dan G.I am a contractor here in the area who just started my own business.

If my guys and gals I fund want to use them I don't care I just don't want to deal with them.PS I like the car business if I was not doing this I would own a dealership... and I would finance sub prime auto debt.. big money in that these days.a few of my fishing buddies own big stores like Toyata and Chevey stores they as you well know make bank.. 

People who lend money professionally.I think of Private lenders as parents, family, friends, buddies, associates and interested doctors, dentists, and businessmen who want to invest some money but don't necessarily do so on a regular basis.