Access to price history on MLS should be sufficient for 99% of the time in these cases.And if it's a property that's super-unique, I'm not sure the history would help that much in determining value since, e.g. with ranches, the price is often determined by the emotions of the (in the case of ranches often wealthy) buyer.

I've been toying with the idea of writing something like this here for a while, so here goes my first attempt:There is an idea in the field of psychology called Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

Different vendors, depending on which part of town the project is in and whether the project can look like every other reno people are doing (Home Depot, Miramar-area standards - H Cabinets, Rainbow, etc) or needs to look more unique (Lowes order desk, La Mesa Lumber, couple random stores in National City-area).

It is a unique property and we spent a lot of time getting it ready, but essentially, we live for free because of it, so it is for sure doable. 

Are there any more unique aspects of foreclosure flipping in Washington State I should educate myself about?

Only a handful of people here have ever dealt with that kind of capital and the unique requirements that come along with that level of wealth.

An older home may have problems unique to an older home but a brand new home may have problems unique to a brand new home.If you are looking at a 1947 home, learn what problems exist with 1947 homes.

I use the teams I work with to get to the root problem and solve it by using everyones ideas uniquely.  

If they have shared common areas (kitchens, living room, bathrooms, etc.) then you will face some unique issues that need to be addressed like who is going to clean, when someone can "reserve" the kitchen, who replaces the toilet paper, etc.Many students do not have income, Landlord references, or established credit.

Unique is a four-letter-word in real estate.