I then was (literally) laughed off the block by friends & family.

Comps could go all over the place in just a few blocks.

If you need a manager, go with questions related to management, if you need a mentor, look for someone who has a broad knowledge and has been around the block, maintenance look for a contractor.

The local lumber yard told me to expect around $35/sq. ft. for a basic home on a crawl space with block.

definitely make use of gov sites to help you provide more insight into areas:census data- zipskinny has some interesting stats based on census- go straight to census site for data- neighborhoodscout is another resource- local gov site may have more stats about neighborhood and demographicsschool district data- find out school districts in the area and look up related local gov website for stats- check out greatschools.com and similar sitespast sold data- the usual: connect w/a realtor- review zillow on past solds for your target property profile- trulia can provide some more insights into areas like zillow doesrental comps- check rentometer- craigslist- local realtorgoogle maps- cash for gold sites, payday sites- affluent supermarkets, restaurants- public transittake into consideration how proximity to certain retail biz or transit can be desirable or influences the local areaNY is a cramped place to evaluate neighborhood on just google map factors listed above alone... i know there are various neighborhoods and depending on what block or side of the tracks, values can go up or down.

I have been going through the forums trying to find a solution for my problem and have yet to find one. We're trying to start a direct marketing campaign geared toward inherited properties through probate. Our problem...

Whatever you may need help with, feel free to reach out, I'm just a few blocks away.

Block of mixed duplex, SFH, and 4 Family.

Not sure as to what you consider skirting boards , but tthe houses are  brick , or block for the first level .    

I sent him over to the house last week with a handwritten letter saying that we are a neighborhood family with friends on the block and we are interested in the house.