We have a large data base of price per square, now we can just look at a job and estimate within +/- grand.A good GC is the place to start if you don't know what you are doing or don't have the time to collect bids or be at the jobsite everyday.

If you call a title company like First American, they do them all day every day, all across the country.

The site is overwhelming so just take it in a little every day

There is A TON of great info here and more added everyday.

No wonder its hard for new agents and many of them work other jobs while they are getting it up and running.I really thought if you joined a Century 21 or whatever people just called the main office everyday and those leads went out to other agents.

But I could play that every day. :)

A bank REO guy does this every day with people who have hundreds of millions to invest in SFRs.In RE investing, you are looking for the magic triad of circumstances:1) Motivated seller - NEEDS to sell ASAP2) Distressed property - will not sell on retail market until it's repaired3) High equity - this gives them the ability to negotiate on price down to where you MUST be if this is a business and not a charity ;-)If all three of those do not exist, the deal could be elusive and you could waste a huge amount of time chasing it.Oh, and the house MUST NOT BE LISTED.

Then, just spend a month or so engaging here on the forums every day and listen to all the BiggerPockets Podcasts - you'll be amazed how quickly you'll grow!

Guys like that piss me off.As for MI, no worries, but I'm still fielding inquiries every day.

Anything you don't do all day every day you are just an amateur.