I wouldnt pick a brokerage based on the best commission split. 

That number seemed to be uncomfortably close to their current mortgage balance, based on their reactions.  

Ideally, I'd like to get bids before I place an offer in order to have a good handle on the rehab costs and place my offer accordingly, but on the other side of the coin, I could potentially place offers on many different properties before having one accepted, all the while I'm getting bids from contractors for which the job for them doesn't materialize.Or, do I visit the properties myself and with my agent, make an very rough estimate of rehab costs, make an offer based on the estimate, and then bring contractors in for bids *after* getting the property under contract, then potentially renegotiate the offer price if the bids come in higher than estimated?

What do you have the Bird Dog do, since the services can vary based on need and/or city?

For now, I have 0$ but will adjust based on the results of the inspection.

Based out of Richmond, VA. 

The boundaries of a neighborhood can be larger streets, tracks, parks, etc.A house as close as possible in features (beds, baths), size, etc.Using the same financing method, with an arms-length transaction.Once you've found the right comps, then you have to make adjustments to them based on all of those features to get an accurate value for your property.I used to use a spreadsheet for that, until I built this tool: www.reikit.com/compsThe tool uses Zillow data for lookups, but usually I go in with my own set of comps from my realtors then use the tool for adjustments.The hard part is getting the comps, though, and MLS is always going to be king.Cheers!

SUMMARY:  Buy bargain priced homes in depressed or value buy areas (high swing markets); sell when the market has hit a higher price & sell / refi. 

I may need to adjust our calculation based off of 90day schedule and not 60day schedule.

(but shouldn't commission based sales agents always be prepared for a downturn?).