Safety stuff, sure, but buildings were built differently through the decades.It looks like I could be tied up for 30 days minimum to get the first inspection, and then fix whatever else, but if they tell me I have to gut the basement or something, that would be a nightmare. 

However, there are so many tools out there, from Zulia, MLS, BP, etc that I'm trying to figure out which are valuable and for what.  

That is one of the highest crime areas in the city, as shown by a recent news report by Fox 59 (link below):http://fox59.com/2014/10/09/public-safety-official... 

I doubt it, they are usually survivors in real estate, deal to deal, check to check types (which is okay) but they aren't the sharpest tool in the box or the top agents in your area, those agents would be losing money.

As a 25 year veteran of the lending world, both private and institutional, I believe crowdfunding is a great tool.

Its much easier for someone to call REI a bad idea then it is for them to admit they couldn't possibly learn the business.These same people have become so used to the 40 hr grind that they don't want to leave the "safety net" they think they have in a weekly paycheck.If REI is what you want to do then listen closely to the skeptics and ask them for specific reasons to back up their opinions. 

Just make sure of your returns and safety net.Good luck,Dave

I have only heard of using it for a home you occupy on a multi unit purchase.Homegain is a nice tool to use.

To fix the problem I developed (because I'm a bit nerdy) some software tools to do much of the management.

The product is very simple to use and presents information in terms of the rental process instead of simply arraying a dashboard of tools.