Accurate, provides a good selection, and uses solid methodology for determing comps.I've been combining Redfin with public records searches just to be on the safe side.

Combined with the fact that youre new to this I would definitely go in person without saying a number over the phone.I would set an appointment and bring 1) A business card 2) A Purchase Contract 3) An Authorization to Release Information and 4) Comps to Support Your Purchase PriceWhen you have lots of leads coming in you can start qualifying sellers more in depth over the phone but for now you need to experience of negotiating with sellers in person.

it may be a combination.

Lets you save taxes, but then you DO have an hourly wage (it's super tiny and meaningless since the actual wage is a combination of dividend + wages).

Best advice is just to go through all the forems, personally I have read 50 books on real estate and I have learned more from this site than all 50 combined.

The 2 condos in combination have positive equity before selling costs.

If you combine that with no rehab or mgmt skills, that would put a lot of people out of REI.

Hit your local REIs and network like crazy;The key is having an open mind, learning and networking.....my network is the real key to what I do combined with what I know how to do....which is contracting & renting.

@Brian Ortins , I actually am looking for combination properties in those areas.

But it may be a perfect fit for a particular investor - especially in light of the points that @Alex Craig made about the repairs and state that a property is in when purchased combined with the service given to the buyer.