QBO isn’t made for REI out of the box, however, it is an amazing tool and really has amazing reporting when set up correctly.  

What tools or processes have you implemented to estimate rehab costs more accurately and avoid scope creep in BRRRR projects?

CoC is an, all things being equal, comparison tool between properties.

The find a lender tool is a great tool to find hard money and DSCR lenders!

Should I be prioritizing finding a local expert, or are there tools and strategies I can use to handle this process myself?

The equivalent tools to Priceline have been in place for the transition you describe to have occurred 20 years ago.

I don't have airdna, but i did come across one that similar tool that showed these stats for free, and even showed some of the houses people were trying to sell exclusively on these platforms.

., missing property taxes or HOA fees), unreliable rent estimates, and the time-consuming process of manually calculating metrics like cash flow or ROI.Platform Preference: A web-based platform would work well for in-depth analysis, but a mobile app would be crucial for on-the-go research and quick evaluations, especially when touring properties.Wish-List Features: A tool that integrates local market data (rental demand, appreciation rates, or vacancy rates) and offers scenario modeling (e.g., "What happens if I increase rents by 10%?")

I'm using a combination of MLS comps provided by realtor, redfin, and backflip analysis tool.  

Next is use credit as a transactional tool.