By that time, you can get a reasonable feel for the condition just based on the location, age of house, style of house, etc.The key is, you don't want to throw out an offer sight-unseen unless you're about 90% confident that the number won't change once you do see it...

Take two different 3/2 houses in different areas, different styles, different ages, different finishes, different contractors, different SOW, etc, and the rehab estimate could differ by several hundred percent.There are several spreadsheets in the BP Fileplace that might help, and BP has a book on creating SOWs and estimating rehab costs that comes with worksheets (full disclosure, I'm the author).

Many of us including myself talk about our strategies, styles, niches and business model on our website.

Many of us including myself talk about our strategies, styles, niches and business model on our website.

Many of us including myself talk about our strategies, styles, niches and business model on our website.

Many of us including myself talk about our strategies, styles, niches and business model on our website.

Many of us including myself talk about our strategies, styles, niches and business model on our website.

(take a listen to BP podcast #83 where I explain my style of handling tenants who are not following the terms of the rental agreement).  

The "A" style duplex (3/1 each side) sells for anywhere between 160-180K retail and rents for 800-950 each side.

If you find someone who posts regularly who you agree with their style/attitude check to see if they have a blog you can follow as well.