Popular social-media platform Facebook may have gotten even more popular this week as founder and chief executive officer Mark Zuckerberg testifies to Congress about the company's potential misuse of user data and privacy: Its stock price actually increased."

Hi Friends-I'm searching for a lawyer with knowledge of real estate to guide us through our first few houses for guidance to ensure we are covering ourselves well for any liabilities. (1 SFH rental and an airbnb garage apartment in our primary home).

Are you using an agent with a real contract to ensure you're protected and have a safe exit clause? 

My experience with most wholesalers is that their ARV is usually massively inflated and the repair coats are massively underestimated.Personally, using the free websites : Zillow, Redfin, Trulia all in combination is enough for me to run my own comps.It might be different in your state but in NJ, there is really enough sales data point to draw a  hard line.

I also appreciate having access to all of the market data and MLS analysis tools when comping properties, learning about new neighborhoods, etc.

Depending on your strategy sites like those may be fine for some strategies, but for qualified leads you need better data or you'll spend much of your time running in circles.Also, even with the better data, it can be challenge reaching some distressed owners for  a litany of reasons.  

Second, what do should I do before approaching the homeowner to ensure I can legally acquire the property. 

Get some help from local, experienced individuals to ensure the numbers make since. 

My fundamental thought with this thread is relates to we seem so driven by the data, numbers, deal, we forget to stop and learn from the people. 

I suspect there will be one or 2 that we have interest in that may not be redeemed by the end of the auction.Warning: Do what you can to ensure the property is unencumbered (no liens, clean title, etc.).Good luck