We always have an independant home inspection and desktop appraisal done in adition to the normal validation (CMA, Comps, etc).

Unless you have access to the bid statistics, you may never be able to tell how/what/why the winning bidder beat your bid.

The goal is that by the time I need to hire a PM company, I'll have enough rentals that I can just hire another part-time person to manage them all, as that will provide more control than a larger company where I don't have constant communication.J Scott - Would you hire someone as an employee or independent contractor?

I check demographics data, such as education and income levels, unemployment and poverty rates, and school performance as well as actual crime statistics.

A disclosure of the Purchaser’s right to choose the place of closing and the right to make an independent selection of their own attorney, settlement company, escrow company, title company and/or title insurance company in connection with the closing has been inserted into the Addendum.Impact to Sales & AMPs: Purchaser has always had this right to choose and the addendum change now reinforces that right.

I am waiting for the records company to call me back with information on the area and get the crime rate and any other statistics.

As well, call some independent agents that represent multiple carriers and see who's got the best rate for about 100K of coverage with at least 300K of liability.On taxes, appeal it; you just paid 50K, not worth 101K; get low comps supporting your position.

You can look for a local agent on their web site, who will probably be an independent.Otherwise, yes, use an independent agent that represents numerous carriers.

Or can you gain access elsewhere since you do have a license.In most -- if not all -- states, you need to hang your license with a broker in order to be considered an active real estate agent and in order to gain access to the MLS.That said, some brokers are very easy to work with -- they treat you as an independent contractor, they don't require you to ever come into the office, they don't care how many (if any) deals you do, etc.

For information on worldwide real estate investing, nothing beats Global Property Guide: http://www.globalpropertyguide.com/They have statistics for most every country with the information parsed down to even realtor, lawyer, and accountant recommendations.Also check out http://www.iproperty.com/It