Would anybody be willing to work a few deals on paper with me and help me identify what I'm missing?

Does anyone have any good resources or methods (besides the MLS/Realtor) to identify comps and rental rates in a specific area?

This will identify the retail price ranges, in which you can list the rehabbed property and the price ranges, of distressed homes, you should target.You can use the Realtor to help you find deals and also use Wholesalers.

Work with a local agent in each of the markets you identify - they should be able to provide you some general info to get started and guide your research in that area.  

So for everyone else out there in a similar position to where we were in 2014: identify your obstacle, destroy your obstacle and go full speed ahead towards your goal(s)!!

Identify key geographical areas to attract4.

@Jeremy Hunsberger, I think you identify markets where you have people that can be your "boots on the ground."

What matters is Your inspector identified X items for repair, you've made the request of the seller to correct it. 

I am currently trying to identify if there is a need for new products within a niche market of real estate investing, whichever market that may. 

It's a little scary, because I've identified at least ten different ways that the USA is artificially propping up the price of housing markets.