She wants to primarily specialize in listing properties, and one source for these leads is online.Does anyone have any suggestions for keywords to use that potential sellers will use in google for SEO/PPC that would make good potential leads for a listing agent?

Once you've started building a portfolio, you can use the income from the rentals (assuming they're good ones) ask the source of cash to buy more.

My issue with Excel spreadsheets has been whenever I add a new method of payment (credit card) or checking account it becomes cumbersome to reautomate the new source of transactions into my standard excel P&L / Balance Sheet.  

Is there some kind of specific software or sources that they use to figure out things like cost per square foot, usable square foot/person, assessing the current state of the market or assessing their competitors??

Everything you have mentioned is decades old, out dated (CFDs) and your deed exchange for example, read a recent thread Deed in lieu of foreclosure and pre-arranged deed agreements" the link given is by an attorney and reputable source.

If I find 10 articles from reputable sources telling me that a particular market is awesome but I've talked to 5-10 professional (and successful (which is key)) investors who tell me they've had bad experiences there or that reality doesn't match the written data, I'm going to listen to those investors all day long.I'm also a lot more apt to listen to people who aren't tied to any one market themselves.

I'm actually on the same track, planning on doing my first deal in January.One concern I have is with your best friend's mom as a source of funds.

Is there some kind of specific software or sources that they use to figure out things like cost per square foot, usable square foot/person, assessing the current state of the market or assessing their competitors??

Probates are a great lead source, but they can be slow to develop.

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