@Mike Flora  I grew up in the land business  and my dad and other agents who sold land knew how to sell.. its an art form.. and those that perfect it will kick butt on those who have Zero sales skills.. its all choreographed.. from ringing the door bell not at 2 minutes to the top of the hour but within 2 seconds of the top of the hour.you wait if your appointment is 5pm you have a very accurate watch you wait in the car you knock on the door EXACTLY at 5pm... you try it and you would be surprised how many people will say..

Do these look accurate?

So it was hard to get accurate rent rates.

Very accurate and true statement.  

Knowledge is power.)I do not use this definition.What I like to use is  ( APPLIED accurate knowledge is power ).You can learn lots of new things constantly which may be 100% accurate, somewhat accurate, or not accurate at all.

Is your 1:1 ratio of materials to labor accurate for the work completed? 

I know there are plenty of companies out there that can use actual historical data to give you an accurate estimate/projection on your property, probably for free!

Then I develop a more accurate CapEx reserves requirement.Maintenance reserves will depend on other factors like @Chris T. suggested.

The best we can do is no longer do business with them and build partnerships with the more honest wholesalers with at least reasonably accurate ballpark numbers.

I own a few properties and everyone I get what I would call a "fake" appraisal. If I see that comps in the area on a duplex are running around 180k and that is the asking price. I make an offer of let's say 130k youd ...