and buyers willing to spend more on updated homes (that's a buy and flip). 

Not to mention all the time you will spend dealing with the HOA board.  

In 1988, Michael Weiss, in his fascinating book The Clustering of America, introduced the idea that neighborhoods can be grouped in terms of lifestyles, consumer spending, demographics, and socioeconomic variables.

I have been spending every free moment educating myself about real estate investing through the Bigger Pockets website and related materials.  

Yes, the MLS was one of the things that I thought might be an advantage but I really don't think I/we'll be spending our time waiting to jump at the next property that comes along. 

Spend a little money save a lot of time.

Not wanting to spend all of my saved money for the downpayment and costs to update I brought my brother in on the deal.  

I know that at some point in the future, it will not be worth me spending 20 minutes per week doing my own bookkeeping.

I also feel that I may spend an unnecessary amount of time dealing with homeowners who don't want to sell.Which do you feel will work better and why? 

i have this software. i got it from a real estate guru. i spend a $1,000 to take a 3 day course to learn about real estate investing. at that class they had an up sell for $25,000. included in the $25,000 was this software and many other added bonuses including a mentor. i only paid $1,000 to lock in my spot and get the software. i have been fiddling around with it but i think i would need someone more versed in real estate to show me how this software can be a better asset to me.