The LTV is going to be inline with conventional mortgage.The main reason folks go to commercial portfolio is because they have exhausted their conventional mortgage options.

The comps are more complete than an MLS because, as NAR says, 25 - 26% of all houses are not bought or sold through an agent (MLS). 

I always tried to have my total expenses covered and basically run a break even because then I was building equity, paying less than an apartment, and learning valuable skills.

If your agreement was to pay him, he may not need to give more than an invoice for labor and material with no breakdown for a lump price, leaving you to wonder what you have exactly paid for.Hard to say if he is or isn't taking advantage, or actually working to save your team money and gain higher profits.

Forecasting is nothing more than an educated guess based on historical data.

Sure this one may have 4 buyers already (and a new prospect never really had a shot) , but knowing what you are looking for may have me call you on the next one. 4) I know other agents and when I have exhausted my supply of something showing up tomorrow....

It should be less than an hour's work plus the cost of a grill.

I was curious what other alternatives could be applicable when approaching a partnership.Reasoning behind my question: I am in the process of closing my first (duplex) home now, so I have exhausted my funds for now.

The owner/renter ratio can be key for financing and other factors.Maybe your spell check changed "low" prices to "life" and I think you run the numbers just like you would with any other rental.But then also try and analyze all the other factors that come with common ownership (probably too numerous to list exhaustively).My own experience is that condos can be easy to manage (you can attract a high quality renters, for example, to nice condos) and simple to maintain (no exterior maintenance), but the dues (and assessments) can gobble up cash flow. 

Mortgage brokers many times have more overlays than an individual investor friendly lender.