I have only read a couple books and online courses so far.

tpercival, I agree that there are some great online resources like you mentioned, however, they are only as good as the availability of information the conclusions are drawn on.For instance, comps I have gotten on properties in Texas were way out of whack.

It is only good for single family homes, but it gives you all the recent sales, including private fsbo sales, (which is an invaluable tool for me) it breaks out the comps by 1 mile radius, building and lot sq footage, and sold within 1 year.

My county does not have the info available on line.

Just looking for some more real estate investing "tools"...

I have a tool in the upper right corner on my blog that will take you directly to the HUD site for your state , then I would suggest going in and reading the broker manual and the forms for buying a HUD home in your state, many states list the home for 10 days as owner occ, then on the 11th day it can be bid on by "all purchasers" which would be you as an investor.I have never heard of hard money lenders looking at your own home, they are typically concerned with the home that you are buying.

I figure better to have two of the same tool than none at all.

I've spent a lot of time trying to find something online that will let me search for apartment buildings for sale and come up empty.

I'm just looking to network online a little bit, I mean if mostly everybody is online looking for real estate and properties, why not be there and give them a helping hand right.

Usually you can find it online.