Buy a book on estimating construction costs (they are readily available, and updated yearly)  Build a detailed scope of work. 

Best thing you can do is find Whole Selling Real Estate books and start reading about their strategies. 

Someone who started in auto sales and has made most of his money through book sales, education, and selling the hype.... 

I do have a lot of "roundabout" knowledge of real estate because I've listened and read many hundreds of hours' worth of financial independence podcasts and books.

I'd first discover that idea from a book "The richest man in Babylon."  

I've listened to about 15 bigger pockets podcasts, read the ultimate beginners guide, read "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" and "Money Master the Game" by Tony Robbins as a start to my REI/financial education.

Thanks Costin for the pointer to the book (and the flow chart).To answer you Q's: I manage my properties myself.A couple of follow-on Q's: a) Can you elaborate on "you guys in CA are different kind of special"?

@Mike Calabrese an excellent book is Inspecting a House by Carson Dunlop and Associates. 

Hello BP community, what are your favorite real estate and business books?

You can do a member search on this site to find some local agents who can guide you with REO properties.