One of the challenges with appraisals, particularly when the purpose is for lending, is that a range of value would tell the market story better than a single point appraisal, but most lenders want a single point appraisal.

The profit they make can range from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $50k or more, so i'd cut out the middle man and list yourself if you're selling.

You asked where you can purchase 2-4 unit properties for under $250,000.There are several markets in Michigan that would offer properties in that price range with attractive places to visit with tenant demand and property appreciation.We have excellent, local property manager partners, inspectors, and local lenders.To Your Success! 

What are other investors in the area paying annually per unit in insurance (approx range) and water + sewer + trash?

A few tips to expand your network and maximize connections in Dayton and Columbus:Build a solid buyers list: Segment by property type, price range, and investment strategy so you can match deals faster.Leverage local REI meetups: Even casual networking events in Dayton and Columbus can help you find new buyers and JV partners.Partner with local agents & contractors: They can give you early insight on distressed properties or motivated sellers.Share your knowledge: Posting deal analysis, market insights, or lessons learned can position you as a go-to wholesaler in the community.Document your process: A repeatable system for sourcing, vetting, and presenting deals keeps your business efficient and professional.

Here's the question: When analyzing deals, properties are definitely over-valued and rents can range from 1600-1900 for a 3/2 in the areas we are looking.

What you can try:Use custom rule sets to open longer date ranges (e.g., 3–4 months) but apply a “minimum stay 30 nights, max stay 120 nights” rule.Manually adjust availability each time a booking ends—extend your calendar by 4 months but block any start dates more than a week after the previous checkout.Add a note in your listing description like “Preference for move-ins within a week of availability” so interested guests can message you first.It’s a bit of manual work, but it keeps your control over gaps while widening your audience.

Active listings are up 24%, giving investors negotiating power we haven't seen in years.Here is a strategy: Buy a distressed single-family home in the $300-400K range....

Let’s look at Indianapolis IN; https://www.redfin.com/city/9170/IN/Indianapolis/housing-market for a median price of $250K That's the range you want to start out in, as a beginner.Then we assume 35% of ARV (After Repair Value) to do the rehab, holding costs, sales costs and profit.

We dropped to my initial suggested price and phone rang off the hook and we got it leased to what I hope will be a great long term tenant.