Does anybody know or had great experience with one that you can refer?

I’m trying to get an ARV appraisal... looking for some kind of reference point before I dump money into rehab...

My question is this: How do you organize/summarize location characteristics (i.e. crime, drugs, schools, unemployment, population growth, etc.) for each of the properties that I have found in a way that makes it easy to compare and contrast those properties? 

The system is intuitive and easy to use, and they have a lot of options for viewing/tracking financials and other management stuff.

I'm sure you can image how by the hour would work out for you in the long run.Check the references if you haven't used them before.

Just paying the taxes gives you no legal leg up on owning the property.....that is misinformation.....maybe they are referring to Adberse Possession which wouldn’t apply in this situation typically......state laws are specific.You are going to have to talk to a probate attorney in Your state.  

Fees should be clearly stated, easy to understand, and justifiable.

Appearance is secondary, if the homes in the area have metal bars you should also have metal bars.In C/D class properties think cheep and easy.  

There is so much good info all over this site for new investors--easy to spend hours just reading away! 

Check your property tax basis on all investments there... some counties are not investor friendly, owner occupied gets a massive break unlike Polk/Dallas in Iowa.I've got some references back that way including contractors and realtors if you need a connect.