Ideally the tool would be able to collect rent, send reminders, include late fees, and do accounting reports. 

Is this a useful tool for deciding on which side of the city to purchase?

What do I do if the Buyer Estimate from a real estate agent does not have matching data to BP tool calculations?

You want every spoke of the wheel to perform so your investment tool can produce the returns you're looking for over time.

This is a great place to learn and to network.This site has quite a few tools that can be helpful for new members.

Love the BP podcast. finally decided to explore their website and the tools it has.

This then sets you up for more financial power in the future. 

However I have this feeling that these aren't the tools that most investors use to find their deals.

With school as the primary focus, those two options allow you to be involved in real estate, without having to say oversee a rehab project or manage a STR/LTR (short term/long term rental).There will be plenty of time for all of this of course, but studying (inside school and out), gaining the knowledge base and networking will give you all the fire power you need later on to close deals and accomplish your goals!

The site has quite a few tools that can be very helpful for new members.