Once you've started building a portfolio, you can use the income from the rentals (assuming they're good ones) ask the source of cash to buy more.

My issue with Excel spreadsheets has been whenever I add a new method of payment (credit card) or checking account it becomes cumbersome to reautomate the new source of transactions into my standard excel P&L / Balance Sheet.  

Is there some kind of specific software or sources that they use to figure out things like cost per square foot, usable square foot/person, assessing the current state of the market or assessing their competitors??

Everything you have mentioned is decades old, out dated (CFDs) and your deed exchange for example, read a recent thread Deed in lieu of foreclosure and pre-arranged deed agreements" the link given is by an attorney and reputable source.

If I find 10 articles from reputable sources telling me that a particular market is awesome but I've talked to 5-10 professional (and successful (which is key)) investors who tell me they've had bad experiences there or that reality doesn't match the written data, I'm going to listen to those investors all day long.I'm also a lot more apt to listen to people who aren't tied to any one market themselves.

I'm actually on the same track, planning on doing my first deal in January.One concern I have is with your best friend's mom as a source of funds.

Is there some kind of specific software or sources that they use to figure out things like cost per square foot, usable square foot/person, assessing the current state of the market or assessing their competitors??

Probates are a great lead source, but they can be slow to develop.

Our website is www.nria.net.We have over 125 clients - which have all repeated projects with us - and most of which continue to repeat NEW projects with us every year.We challenge anyone to come to our offices with 24 hours advance notice to review the original and government registered Real Estate documents previously detailed and more.Simply email me for an appointment at [email protected]. and we will immediately accommodate you.We are a very busy and successful investment Real Estate Project Management firm – coordinating the client desired process of complete 100% new construction Income Property Development - but we are extremely customer service focused and document everything we do via independent bank audit sources.

Either way I would think good local agent would be a good source of these rates.In regard to rental rates vs purchase price ratios, I was asking a few agents in Mansfield and North Attleboro area and they were telling me that the monthly payments of your typical FHA buyer would be about the same as monthly rent payments in those areas.