I have a document written by another bigger pockets member that helps explain this.

Good evening Deepa,I would approach a broker with:Timeframe in which you'd like to purchase your first property (i.e. 3 months, 1 year, "not sure"Pre-approval letter: this will show the broker that you've taken action and have brought documents to a lender in order to learn your buying power.

start fully documenting everything and take lots of pictures, I would start communicating via email or by letter, even send them a certified letter stating damages etc, sounds like you didn't hire a qualified roofer. send a copy of everything to your attorney maybe even have him draft a letter demanding a response, if push for a refund + damages and go with a new roofer

IMO eco tax sends you the documents that will be reported, fill out to the best of your ability to understand them, and then their reps double check what you submitted, and you hope that you filled them out correctly.

@Samantha Wells It’s not based so much on just trust as it is documentation.

Also, by doing these recordings, you will force yourself to pay attention to every aspect and detail that might need attention, without really annoying the showing agent by slowing the viewing down too much.Lastly, go online and look for housing inspection check lists--there are dozens listed there, and then check for your local 'repair costs'. 

We work with a realtor on all our flips and by just using the online free websites, our numbers are always in the ballpark of what our realtor is saying the ARV of the property is.

Our latest units to bring online, this hasn't been the case. 

That said the two I have are performing fantastically, and I'm in the process of bringing four more online. 

(Rosemead and El Monte are pretty different from South Pas, but as you look at things online, have them drive the neighborhoods and see which ones stand out to them the most.