Its competitive here but, if you know the right people its a little easier.

It is way easier to get back on the path that you know so well and not cut through the brush and blaze a new trail, but the problem is that although it is easier to go back to what ya know, that path leads to the same unfulfilling results they have always received.Just a few of my thoughts from the top of my head.  

I like Rentometer because it give you an estimate based on comps within 1 mile or half a mile based on number of bedrooms, Hotpads shows you whether the comp is an SFR or apartment,  Zillow will show the price of a comp without having to click on anything, and Craigslist offers results that may not appear on any of the other sites.

The money (it appears) is in the flip rather than the cash-flow. 

I would recommend developing a strategy and location, and probably even organizing financing before you find an agent, because until you have all that figured out most agents won't be able to help very much because to them you would not appear as a serious buyer/ investor on paper.

It will make your taxes much easier.

If this is a relationship that you want to continue to use in the future and both of you will be the only equity partners in this, then an honest conversation about what each expects appears in order.

It appears the foreclosure cleared the title as best it can.

Is there an easier way?

If you, like me, have no interest in swinging a hammer or managing a property, it’s much easier to make it pencil out.