In other parts of the country the assessment value is much closer to actual value but that is not true in Vegas.You are correct that Zillow is hit or miss as well so don't use that for comps either.Your best bet is establish a relationship with a local Realtor that can provide you with solid sold comps for value.

I've seen people talk about rentals and it seems like that is so risky and only slightly profitable due to maintenance costs and vacancy and stuff.Flipping houses seems like a much safer bet with bigger gains judging from the success stories.Again this is probably a stupid question with alot of missing variables.

I'm not looking to invest in NY so I think buying access to MLS in other areas of the country will be my best bet. 

Primarily electricity and cable/internet?

But keep in mind that if that Company can get them under Contract for those prices, you can bet that they don't REALLY think they are foregoing $70k of profit for just $25k rehab.

Long term, the whole downtown will be massively changed over the next decade so it could be a good long-term bet.

As it has a number of features to offer but we end up using some of the important features like Calling, Texting and Internet surfing only while countless other features are hardly used on daily basis.

Even after all my expenses power, internet, water it is still well in the black.

@Steve Babiak probably knows PA tax requirements.I'll bet it is the full purchase price as amounts financed are irrelevant to a sale price.....I know, your hopes crushed again. 

I'm thinking that finding a reliable, trustworthy contractor to partner up with would be the best bet since I won't be doing the majority of the rehab work myself.