Account ClosedUsing your local county office and/or a title company you can find out what they paid for the property and approximately what they owe on it, then just do the math to find out the estimated equity.

I’m now starting to gain enough confidence/knowledge to go do the math on properties in my area.

I am buying a property and when I do the math is shows that I will have a higher return rate on my downpayment if I go FHA vs Conventional even though the conventional terms are better. 

I always tell people it's a math problem that only they can solve. 

Getting the math right will be the determining factor on if a deal is successful or not.I also recommend finding a local group to meet with.

After the bank called me to ask if I was interested in purchasing the property, I did a little homework, then asked if they could provide me with documentation that the property was free of Thompson defects. 

BUT taking the time to show them the data and work through some math with them usually helps things go down a little more smoothly – I've had several clients who started out with a recalcitrant spouse who later became THE family evangelist for turnkey investing lol. 

When looking at properties some math is simple.

I drive by USC College almost every day and even work on many of the properties being rented to college students, but never did the math.

(Do your homework).