If the software is not simplifying your life or making you more accurate, you shouldn't use it.Software does have extremely helpful features like online payments, marketing syndication (click a button and your property is advertised on multiple sites), electronic document review/signing, maintenance tracking, and owner reports.

Funny that you blame the modern day education system when it seems whatever school you went to decades ago failed to share these key founding principles with you. 

As Zillow (and Redfin) collects and aggregates sales data I think they have much more data now to analyze - and they have the ability to analyze all that info - and come up with a more accurate sales price (for an "average condition" property) better than an appraiser or real estate agent could (especially in locations that are more populated and have more sales data).If you're renovating though, specifically looking for ARV, I would trust a good real estate agent more than I would Zillow/Redfin because "condition" is a data point Zillow simply can't analyze (remodeled kitchen/baths, master suite, modern updates, style/condition of flooring).

Also know that there are a lot of modern PM options that are more in the 10-15% fee range (as opposed to 30%).  

.* Strong rent/price ratios* Low property taxes and insurance rates* Growing populations and jobs* Modern, diverse economies* Landlord friendly lawsPersonally, I think that Indianapolis and Kansas City has a good combination of the above criteria.

Is a gentrifying shift coming to the city, because i see a lot of modern renovated townhouses literally right next to a boarded up house.

Indy is not only a good cash flow market but has strong economic and demographic fundamentals such as growing population, jobs and  modern, diverse industry whereas St Louis and Birmingham are pretty stagnant.

(B)Application by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar meansIf a consumer described in subparagraph (C) applies for employment by mail, telephone, computer, or other similar means, at any time before a consumer report is procured or caused to be procured in connection with that application—(i)the person who procures the consumer report on the consumer for employment purposes shall provide to the consumer, by oral, written, or electronic means, notice that a consumer report may be obtained for employment purposes, and a summary of the consumer’s rights under section 1681m(a)(3) 1 of this title; and(ii)the consumer shall have consented, orally, in writing, or electronically to the procurement of the report by that person.

I used those concessions to build out the basement into a beautiful and modern short term rental.

I get electronic payment every month.