Contractors should probably be brought in only when you've narrowed down what you're looking for and you need help estimating pricing.  

You need market rent rates, market vacancy rates, market expense rates,  So yeah, you need to know your market.As far as cap rates I AM saying that all NOI's of similar properties should sell for the same (a very narrow range) cap rate. 

You need to narrow it down a little.  

We have recently picked up rentals in B- and C+ neighborhoods and due to our screening have found some great tenants!  

Mostly because we are able to narrow down our search based on certain criteria such as: bedroom count, equity %, last sales year, etc.

I've narrowed down my QI search to two different companies/people.They both have insurance, however the limit is $1M -- and this deal is for more than that.Instead of writing a whole long drawn out thing (which I'm really good at LOL)...What are some of the things that *you* have done when vetting the people/person you use?

I wanted to check to see if anyone had some move in ready MLS listings I could look at and possibly see while I'm there. also interested in class B and up properties including duplex thru 4-plex.  

@Ned Carey I have a very narrow list.

This incredible rate of new construction is, I think, a backlash from the crash - construction stopped and fell far behind demand, and now it is snapping back and accelerating, kind of like a rubber band.4) Condos - Many of these newer units are apartment complexes that are ripe to be converted to condos.

That's my narrow opinion.