There may be better methods, but that's what I do, If I want to take it further I will call a Realtor, If I dont plan on buying through or listing with them, I offer to pay them for a cma, or opinion of value.

Also, is there a similar method to determine holding costs for rehab projects in Texas?

What methods are you using to find these?  

Work with a broker who will actually teach you notes (rare because they usually teach what they want you to know in dealing with them) another way is to self study by looking at various brokerage sites, talking with other investors and reading the note forums, the last way is to pay some guru who may take you down a path of showing you some method that is often expensive.To my knowledge, there aren't any "note schools" or education programs that do not have some vested interest in how you do things or where you invest......that may change soon.Non-performing loans can be worthless.

The simplest and easiest way to resolve the Owner Occuplied requirement is to live in the property for a year, but the aforementioned method is also tried and true. 

Looking forward to more interactions with you as we journey together.

I will definitely be employing these methods that you have recommended.

The Journey Is The Reward by Jeffery Young.

I am still using this lender today, as well as some other methods.

He can sit and do nothing.There is nothing in RE that you're going to think of that hasn't been thought of before, there are usually tried and proven, legal methods to accomplish a solution for just about any problem you can face, so ask instead of creating things.