I would wager a guess than any town of ~60,000 or less people may have less agents per capita or at the very least they be easier to edge out than the streamlined agencies in big cities.

However, from my preliminary research, the process looks more daunting and expensive.

-Any pros/cons you see investing in this and surrounding areas are also helpful.We have done preliminary market analysis through usual channels and looking for on the street expert opinions.

It's a good idea to get a preliminary title report to see what liens exist and see who the sheriff is foreclosing on behalf of.

I'm turning to the forum for some preliminary advice.Here's the short version:My father still lives in the house I grew up in.  

Ask him to get a preliminary title report or abstract to confirm who are the owners of record. 4.

Signed the preliminary paperwork, agreed to the seller's quick close, and was ok with his agent being in some way related to him.

Most Contractors won't provide a free estimate unless you have the property under contract, so you may have to pay a GC ($150 to $250) to come out and provide a preliminary estimate.Otherwise, if you do make an offer on a property make sure you have an Inspection Clause that allows you to renegotiate the deal if repairs are more than initially anticipated.Once you complete your first few rehabs you will have much better intuition into what repairs cost in your area.I have a spreadsheet in my fileplace that you can use for a template if you are interested, see below:https://www.biggerpockets.com/files/user/drobertson/file/house-flipping-spreadsheet-6-lite

Larger units need preliminary underwriting to prepare an offer.

What rule do you people use for estimating expenses in the very preliminary phase of narrowing down a house on the MLS?