all data is public, having an auditor and recorder that has everything digitized is nice.

All are not created equal.We are in the Gatlinburg area and charge from 20 to 25 percent based on a few factors, but we are not owned by hedge funds or private equity, so we don't have to produce double digit returns to get by.   

Wholesitc veiw is needded when evalauting Detroit rental property (Acquisition,Class of Renter, Area (as it relates to city plan hergo enforcement efforts, repairs (lead abatement, asbestos,saftey))Yes property taxes are increasing significantly as values in some Detroit areas are seeing double digit % increase year over year and you likely are experiencing that similar to @Greg Scotts comments.From my years of experience with Detroit and fighting property tax violations (1-8) the city board of review is a joke, Michigan tax tribunal is a racket, best bet is a real estate attorney that specializes in fighting DETROIT property taxes.

At the very least, open a high-yield savings account or invest in a private lending/trust deed and get a double-digit return on your money.

My 20 year old son has saved 6 digits and has hardly worked by being frugal.  

we don't have title abstractors.. each title and escrow company will have their own title plant that has 99.9% of all counties records digitally in their data bases .. 

The flat fee model is the future (for now) until all transactions are made digitally online.As the seller, you decide what you'll pay the listing agent and the buyer's agent.My clients pay me a flat fee and pay 2.5-3% commission to the buyer's agent.It makes me happy to help my clients save $1000s.  

I personally would not participate in a syndication that offers 7% interest..I would rather do private or hard money for double digit returns 

I would recommend getting a good scanner and digitize everything possible.   

While you get a lump sum of cash, this is a one and done process.In both cases, there is an appraisal (sometimes a drive-by or just a digital estimate of value), a note is recorded that encumbers the property.