Hi,This is a property with a motivated buyer, they're about 10k in default. The asking price is $137,000. The area is a small town with a tight rental market in northern California. Not much expected growth. There was...

I told him that its my reputation on the line as an investor and also that we would analyze the properties before jumping in.

Be sure to adjust the "Advanced Inputs" as they prepopulate with some assumptions that drastically affect the results.Investors: What other resources do you use to analyze your Rent vs Sell options?

The easiest way to analyze a deal is to simply make sure your property does an absolute minimum of 20% of the purchase price per year.

I have access to a tool that analyzes the MLS and FSBOs for great deals against comparable properties and wondered if this would be useful in this market.

I love analyzing deals and running numbers.

You need to analyze each property very specifically though as each property can be metered differently.

I need a few tips on analyzing deals, and looking at listings.

As you asked regarding working with a broker,  I would say it's depends how familiar with real estate you are, if you need some basic information how to find a good deal in this specific area is better to work with a broker but if you are able to analyze a deal or you work with an experienced investor then is better to work straight with listing agent or seller as you are more flexible with negotiations and information, also then some listing agents are more likely preffering to work with the buyer by them self because they getting more commision of sale.Just my opinion......

If you are considering this type of investment, the quickest way to analyze cash flowing properties would be through the four square method.