Posted by Chenel_MD on February 08, 2000 at 10:32:40:
#1) Go straight to the owner.
#2) There are different values in real estate. The assessed values are the values obtained by the county in order to tax the property. This is usually based on square footage, lot size and any other improvements on the property. They can differ from the fair market value. The fair market value is the value of the property based on the selling prices or comparables around them. What you need to do is determine your fair market value of your prospective properties. To do this you should complete an market analysis. The transfer values are the prices that the current owners purchased the property for.
After you have determined the fair market value determine who you are going to flip the property to. If it is other investors, then you know that you have to have the price at about 40% below the fair market value. If you plan to flip to buyers you can come up on your percentage a little. It also depends on what type of work the property requires and how much it will be worth after the work. Remember in real estate, money is not made when you sell the property, but when you buy it. In other words you have to buy it appropiately or else you will have trouble selling and or renting it.