I slowly and carefully started crawling towards my goal of a full time career of Creative RE Investor :listened to tens of podcasts, read several books, started putting my contracts together, created website (which needs modifications), got business cards and other marketing materials.

For construction work, you need a license (probably) or to be on title, leasing interests or options don't give you the authority to build, rehab or encumber the property with material and labor liens.

I have someone charging me the following to replace soffit in a porch for an area with dimensions of 16' X 11':The materials:$10 per sheet of vinyl soffit = $170$5 per 12 foot of j channel = $35Screws and staples=$20 $225 = Materials TotalLabor:$425225+425= $650 (Total including materials and labor)Does this sounds reasonable?

This map cuts through the bulls&*t, lies, and flowery nonsense I have come across in marketing materials for homes in Homewood, Lincoln/Larimer, Beltzhoover, etc.  

Renatus has a lot of material, yes, that is true but the material they  provided, you can find on forums or books. 

Great way to pick up some good info and possibly a deal.I have listed below some Rules of Thumb we use.Good luckPaulExpensesTaxes  (80% Purchase Price) x (Mill rate) = TaxesInsurance $250 per door (this could be higher, depending on if property is closer to coast, the claim history, if in flood zone, etc)Repairs & Maintenance (R&M)  $300–$600 per door Contractors and material, Carpet Cleaning, Keys and Locksets, Make ReadyGeneral Administration  $100-250 per doorManagement Fees Typically 4% of Total Income for larger propertiesMarketing/Advertising $100 per doorUtilities Take historical from last year, annualize this year’s, compare & then take the higher of the two. 

The first was going over the Law's specific to MA and the second was more of a hands on course that provided you with a rental package that had all the materials needed to legally rent in MA.

Now if you are wanting the seller to provide actual invoices for their material cost and also what they were paying the contractors etc... things like that you might not get that. 

Much of it is selection on your part and properly sourcing material (I can help with this) and labor.

I want to know are there any research materials or real estate journals I can get that will give me up to date information on trends or statistics on a given area ???