We then created an additional part of the application that scrapes tax assessment sites for that info and imports it directly into the database with all the other info.

Real estate is tough, expensive, time consuming, and if you aren't driven, you'll just be another person who  tries it and fails.      

Cleared a home-site, put in a driveway and some other site work with cash. 

I recommend watching the webinars on site, Listening to the podcast on the way to work, and reading every REI book you can find.

I'd like to know if the appraisals listen on a tax assessors site are ARV prices (if the home was in perfect condition), or what the house is worth as it sits.

In any case, be sure to let the former tenant know the itemized disposition of his security deposit within whatever amount of time your local laws say - in some jurisdictions, failing to do so may result in having to pay the tenant back more than just the original security deposit.The tenant left no forwarding address to return the security deposit?

I've had the hardest time trying to message you on the site.

If it happens to be bad timing, you may not be able to sell it in which case you have to hold onto it and try to rent it out to produce income.Note buying is only passive if you do it through a syndication or crowdfunding site that will handle all of that for you.

You can just use other sites.  

I've looked into advertising on zillow/realtor, Facebook and other sites but with no experience I'm not sure on which one or if any is most beneficial for a new realtor at a relatively unknown brokerage.