-Comparing other hotel tax assessments in your area doesn't tell you anything.  

As far as banks/credit unions vs. mortgage brokers, the rates should be comparable but you likely have a relationship with a local lender which should help your case.

Especially with business and spreadsheets and all the little options the droid gives you over apple.If you like your iPhone then right on, but have you had a droid to compare it to?

If you find comparable properties with similar square footage, features, bedrooms/bathrooms that are renting for a price that you find acceptable as an investor, then the investment to improve your property might be worth it.

You can also look at the areas of Garland that feed the Richardson ISD.In general, you'll find the North & Far North Dallas areas command higher rents than other comparable looking areas of the Metroplex - ie Southwest Arlington.  

agents always send me some foreclosure properties that need some work. and then they say make a bid and see what the bank says.how come they do that compared to the foreclosure auctions where there are a bunch of investors outside the house making live bids?

@Bob Malecki nailed one of easiest and most straightforward methods early in the thread, i.e., form a business entity with other experienced note investors, pool your funds and buy some notes.If you want to leverage funds from passive investors who will not be actively involved in the selection and management of assets, the proper way to do it is to form a 506 reg D fund.  

One only has to look at at the dramatic turnaround of GM over the past 7 years http://www.cnbc.com/id/102116432hahaHAHAHAHAHAAH comparing us investors to Gilbert HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA you have no idea what is involved in trying to get into the down town area

And compare to this one.

Next I call "any agent" and ask if I could meet with them over lunch (my treat) and ask if they could run comps to compare my numbers.