In general they're just a crap shoot and most of the time not an accurate representation of the actual value of the property unless you've got some type of neighborhood where all the houses are the same (with lots of comps). 

You might have Implied Representation by now.  

Investment Info:

Single-family residence buy & hold investment.

Purchase price: $205,000

3 bed / 2 bath 1,560sf corner lot rambler with 2 car garage and fully fenced backyard. Easy access to highway ...

I almost went to UVA, beautiful place

We probably paid a little more than we should have, but it's a beautiful cabin in a great area and so we feel that we'll do very well with it.

I think becoming an agent is great, but the beauty of that is that you can do that on the side of whatever corporate job that you get.

With the beautiful thing they call compound interest (the extend of which is not covered in the scope of this article) on an average of 8% on index funds I could see over $600k in 30 years.

If you don't feel comfortable with the agent dual representing both parties, you should be able to seek your own representation.  

The place turned out beautifully.

The beauty of STR is it’s easily self managed from anywhere in the world which is why it’s best to chose a market that makes money such as Branson or Coffeeville.