For properties that fall outside the norm your search parameters can be expanded beyound those guidlines so that there are enough sales to compare.

I don't remember much emphasis on market/repair analysis compared to the drama within the team.

You will get to know who is transferring property to an LLC or trust and who owns multiple properties in the area.When you find an area that you believe is an opportunity then sharpen your focus and continue to monitor the area so that you become familiar with the type of property available and what it is listed for compared to what the ultimate sales price is.I like to contact owners who are several years behind in real estate tax.

Even if it was not completely rent free it would a dramatic reduction compared to what i am currently paying in rent, $1300.

Comparables.

It's a great system and i'm sure it's comparable to buildium, etc.

Dealing in the N/P sector can be very rewarding, financially and personally and so requires greater knowledge on several fronts compared to dealing in a for-profit mode.

You could always leverage into an apartment building ( 5 units or more ).Value is based on cash flow and cap rates instead of comparable sales approach.Economy of scale is easier.Just depends on long term goals.Right now debt service is cheap.It's easy to take equity out and put it to work for returns above debt service.When prices and interest rates rise that will be harder to do on the purchasing end.

I guess its just a culture shock for us as to compared to the bustling and happening city from where we came from.

I did a little googling to find some data to back up my sense that Halifax and much of Canada is in a real estate bubble.All the images are from http://theeconomicanalyst.com/.Note how out-of-whack Canada's Price/Rent ratio is compared to other countries.