It depends on how you define "upfront." 

That’s super helpful in defining exactly what kind of neighborhood it’s in.

Lots of well-meaning, honest agents out there (and of course a few who aren't), but to find good character combined with lots of practical expertise and knowhow is much harder - including plenty of agents who are happy to tell you how many decades they've been in the business.

I define standard as when funds from the B-C transaction (me selling my interest in the A-B transaction to buy a property) are used to fund the A-B transaction.

Now "similar" is defined as similar size, year built, bedrooms/baths, condition, etc. 

I put 6% interest rate to define the refinance and I found a bank that does refinancing at 30 year terms. 

We each have very defined roles in the company.  

Taking the time to define these details exactly between partners, then form a contract by means of a good attorney is critical.

It's a defined process requiring seasoning so they can offer a warrantable title (that's why they sit empty so long), a BPO, an appraisal, and then it culminates in a listing.  

Listen to Quarles pod cast for a pro.When we started in the Timber business in the North west I created my own custom data base. ( pre google an lap tops just came out and Oregon has great aerials photos available to the public so this was key)We created a custom data base that had every none commercial timber property of over 10 acres that had observable timber on it. this from the CA border to just south of SEattle about 20,000 properties it took almost 2 years.. we then hammered that data base and it took an average of 7 to 15 touch's before we landed a deal and even with all of this a great year for us was 50 transactions.. out of all those refined and defined leads.