As an agent, you have access to the data you need to do this correctly.

Though older workers in previous recessions were less likely than their younger counterparts to be laid off, that advantage has eroded in recent years, said Munnell, who analyzed more than two decades of Labor Department data on layoffs.Fewer workers are now protected by union contracts that require newer employees to be laid off first.

It seems that list source is more expensive but on Roops website he mentioned that in his experience Melissa data has outdated information.

I try to sift through deals using the 50% rule and then take a closer look if they pass that test.Before I end this long post, does anyone know where I can get data (free or pay) that is historical and for rent, property prices, and vacancy rates ready to download in excel?

I use 4x6, full color both sides, variable data printing, $0.365 ea.

Some of the information could be sourced from the 2000 census for all I know, and is 9 years old.Also, "neighborhood" data could be vastly different and I've found when looking at their population information for instance (46,557 in this case) is not neighborhood by my definition.

I want to gather hard data before having The Talk with my folks.

I have a MAX OFFER column that uses the formula =SUM(B2*0.7)-G2, in which B2 is the ARV and G2 is the REPAIRS column.Any others tracking this data like this?

I don't know of a service that provides this.The NAR and local state real estate commissions track certain data but it varies by state.One state can have 2 mls's for that state and another could have one for every other county.So with broad data is basically useless as you are trying to extract data in your local marketplace.You could track how many agents in the county by the REALTOR board but it would not include non-REALTORS.You can get tracking data from your local state commission but they charge you for it.What are you trying to do with this data??

Apparently 9 of the units are currently occupied and per the seller occupancy goes up during the summer with some temp workers that come into the area.Per City data, average rents in Podunk USA are $572 (15% lower than the area I currently invest in).So if I accept $230k as fair, I would mortgage $172,500 (75% LTV) for a payment of $1,090 (6.5% for 30 years, is that reasonable for commercial?).