I am not in market right now but trying to learn how to analyze these sorts of deals for when I make a purchase.

That being said I always figure 10% on every deal that i analyze to flip. (6% for real estate commissions, 3% closing costs and 1% misc for inspection items) Most of the time I am selling to 1st time home buyers that ask for 3% down if they don't then great more profit i didn't count on. 

utm_source=search&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=booksSimply, bone up on the areas that you need to expand knowledge in such as, Forums, Marketplace, Learn, Network, Analyze and Resources.Feast on the Podcasts, #askbp Podcasts, blogs and webinars Lastly, this site thrives on interactions and as such we encourage two way exchanges and look forward to educational and thought provoking ideas relevant to REI.

What are the key market characteristics that I need to analyze to reduce the chances of owning property in a town that is dying fast?

utm_source=search&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=booksSimply, bone up on the areas that you need to expand knowledge in such as, Forums, Marketplace, Learn, Network, Analyze and Resources.Feast on the Podcasts, #askbp Podcasts, blogs and webinars Lastly, this site thrives on interactions and as such we encourage two way exchanges and look forward to educational and thought provoking ideas relevant to REI.

I am educating myself of how to analyze deals and moving forward...looking for my first one.   

utm_source=search&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=books (books recommended by BPers)Simply, bone up on the areas that you need to expand knowledge in such as, Forums, Marketplace, Learn, Network, Analyze and Resources.Feast on the Podcasts, #askbp Podcasts, blogs and webinars Lastly, this site thrives on interactions and as such we encourage two way exchanges and look forward to educational and thought provoking ideas relevant to REI.

utm_source=search&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=booksSimply, bone up on the areas that you need to expand knowledge in such as, Forums, Marketplace, Learn, Network, Analyze and Resources.Feast on the Podcasts, #askbp Podcasts, blogs and webinars Lastly, this site thrives on interactions and as such we encourage two way exchanges and look forward to educational and thought provoking ideas relevant to REI.

utm_source=search&utm_medium=internal&utm_campaign=books (books recommended by BPers)Simply, bone up on the areas that you need to expand knowledge in such as, Forums, Marketplace, Learn, Network, Analyze and Resources.Feast on the Podcasts, #askbp Podcasts, blogs and webinars Lastly, this site thrives on interactions and as such we encourage two way exchanges and look forward to educational and thought provoking ideas relevant to REI.

           For me appraisal would be the ideal class in order to analyze properties you are interested in accurately and quickly; time is of the essence in investing.