Look online at the types of homes and nieghborhoods in the area.

SteveGent -- There are a number of services out there that will help you get set up to collect rent payments online via check, VISA, MC, AMEX...

Hey Ryan - Have you tried out our property analysis tool yet?

Stick with a forum or books online or in the book store.

Steve, look to the left of your post under Real Estate Tools and click on Forms and Contracts.

As more information becomes available on-line there is less need for full services provided by an agent and hence less need to pay a 4-6% commission.

I met with a group of realtors that specialize in distressed properties, and really push the fact that the accesss to the MLS database is their key tool.

With all of this information available to people online, the phone calls that I get are from people who are already pretty interested in the apartment -- which wastese less of my time on fruitless showings.

2) I found a nifty tool that calculates the ROI, Capitalization ration, and cash flow.

I'm new here, and to RE, except for all the books at the library and the TONS of info online.