The MLS is the most accurate source of home sales data, which is one of the memberships Realtors pay to have access to.  

I feel like I am coming into a class late and am cramming to prepare for the first test.

In the end, if you have a good broker friend, you can get good comp data from them.  

All that data helps me figure out who is toast and who isn't.

One huge benefit to doing it once is that I have a data point on cost and a more developed understanding if what a rehab really is.

I plan on holding them as rentals until the data shows its time to sell.  

So, you have enough data to compute a balance on any day.But, doesn't the lender have to create or sign the release of lien? 

Account Closed Knowing your market is critical to whether you are an investor or a speculator.Here is the short list of what you need to know:*  Rents*  Sales comps*  Taxes*  DOM*  Profit potential  (formula)*  Seller's or Buyer's market*  Market saturation*  Interest and availability of tenants and/or buyers*  Cost of homes for sale (not the same as sales comps)*  Quality of neighborhood (stats, but eyeball test works even better when you inspect a property)Joe VilleneuveREcapSystemA2REIC

this is only local data, but the August 2014 home sales as compared to August 2013 home sales are down 13%. 

So you never need to go to the facility until the test.