There are several techniques but ones related to your question:1) Doing a Lease Option with the seller gives you equitable interest in the property and you can market the property for sale or for a Lease Option for a period of time shorter than your Option.

I've attended some investor related Meetups recently and thought it was a good idea. 

Definitely start jumping into the community here and feel free to ask any questions related to Real Estate investing!

Also look them up on your state/county courts data base. 

For example my properties in California are about 2.75, and my houses in Ohio are about 2.25, but again relatively minor locality differences, property status and grandfather rules (if they apply) can greatly skew numbers for homes relatively close to each other.

If an area says "No kids outside exercising or playing sports related games".... then everyone's hands are tied. 

Definitely start jumping into the community here and feel free to ask any questions related to Real Estate investing!

Competent appraisers will not work for AMCs so mortgage-related appraisers sent by banks are often bottom of the barrel.That said, I often have to ask why people assume brokers comps are correct?

And I tell them make sure the rent money is in the bank on the first.Another tenant, slightly better qualifications, missed one electronic payment recently, but tells me he had to help a relative out, and spend $29K.

Just be aware that these costs are very general and are to be used as a rough guide since his costs in his area with his guys will not automatically relate to what you would pay in your area.