Rehabbing Remotely is a challenge for many that invest in real estate because if they can’t see, feel, or hear it, that trigger’s their panic button.

I can’t solve your emotional control based issues, but I can appeal to your sense of logic to help dissuade these fears.

1. RealtyTrac.

I use RealtyTrac to help me investigate a new city.  A little known feature of RealtyTrac is that it captures market trend data.  For example, here’s a trend picture for Jacksonville, FL

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RealtyTrac also allows you to select specific zip codes to drill down on the areas that appear most appealing to you.  RealtyTrac offers a 7 day free trial.

2. Zillow

Zillow is a free resource that allows me to drill down into a certain area and see where there are a higher concentration of “sold” properties.  These are the hot areas.  Below is an example of the houses that sold in Jacksonville in the last 30 days.

From this, I can see the general areas I want to target.

3. Google

Another really good free tool is Google Maps.  Let’s say I select a property I want to buy.  I can search the address on Google and the image (not always exact, and not always recent) will show up.  I can click on a “street view” and actually travel up and down the street, turn corners and get a good idea of what the neighborhood looks like.

Click to watch the video: 2013-11-13_1529
4.  Contractors with Cameras.  If they don’t know how to use them, teach them or find another contractor.  Rehabbing properties today don’t require you to physically be there.  You teach your team, and you will profit!

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If you really need to see what’s going on, just make sure there is enough profit built into the deal so you can travel there!

Feeling any better?