Frequently Asked Questions

Know what to offer. Close the right ones.

DealScanner is a real estate brokerage built for investors. Every on-market single-family home in Allegheny County is scored against your targets. A licensed Pennsylvania buyer agent can carry an approved offer through closing.

What is DealScanner?

DealScanner analyzes Allegheny County single-family homes and closes the ones you approve, on one desk:

  • Analyze - Deal score, rent, after-repair value, rehab cost, and the price that reaches your target return for a flip, a rental, or BRRRR
  • Decide - You choose the offer. There is nothing to pay if you pass
  • Close - A licensed Pennsylvania buyer agent is the agent of record. Ace, the AI deal copilot, drafts and tracks the deal. The buyer signs the purchase offer
How does it work?

Six steps. You make the calls:

  1. Analyze. Type any Allegheny County address. You get a deal score, a confidence grade, and the price that reaches your target return.
  2. Terms. You set a price and timing. DealScanner takes that number to the listing agent, usually the same business day. These are proposed terms, not a signed purchase agreement.
  3. Tour. When there is an answer, a local agent walks the property on video. If a walkthrough is already on the listing, you can watch it now.
  4. Negotiate. A licensed agent talks to the listing side. You decide whether to counter, hold, or walk.
  5. Due diligence. Inspection, sewer, and title stay on the deal. Ace tracks the deadlines.
  6. Close. A licensed buyer agent stays with the deal through settlement.

Nothing legally binding goes out without a licensed human on it. DealScanner handles listing-agent contact. You do not call the listing agent yourself.

How do Investor Tours work?

A DealScanner showing is an Investor Tour. You watch a walkthrough on video, and you do not have to be at the house. Investor Tours are free and included when you close with DealScanner. Property-specific representation is required. Videos already on a listing are free to watch when you are signed in. A new tour is usually ready in 24 to 48 hours.

How is the ARV (After Repair Value) evaluated?

ARV is evaluated using:

  • Recent comparable sales in the area
  • Property condition assessments
  • Market trends and location factors
  • AI-powered predictive modeling
How accurate are the renovation cost estimates?

Renovation costs are estimated based on:

  • Local contractor rates
  • Property condition and size
  • Required improvements
  • Historical renovation data

While estimates are data-driven, we recommend verifying with local contractors for precise quotes.

What's the difference between fix & flip and rental analysis?

Our platform now offers both investment strategies:

  • Fix & Flip Analysis: Focuses on ARV, rehab costs, and profit potential from reselling the property after renovation
  • Rental Analysis: Evaluates monthly rental income potential, rental-specific rehab costs, and long-term ROI metrics

You can switch between both views in the results page to compare strategies for any property.

Pro Tip: Some properties may perform better as rentals than flips or vice versa. Always check both analyses to find the optimal strategy.
How do Deal Scores work?

Our Deal Scores system helps you quickly identify the best investment opportunities through four key dimensions:

Value Score

Indicates how good the deal is relative to the property's potential:

  • Based on ratio between (Listing Price + Rehab Cost) and ARV
  • Lower ratio = higher profit potential
  • Example: A property listed at $150K with $30K rehab and $250K ARV scores better than one with $200K ARV
Motivation Score

Shows seller motivation based on:

  • Days on Market (DOM)
  • Median DOM in the area
  • Price reduction history
  • Status changes

A strong Motivation Score (A or B) suggests the seller may be more open to negotiation.

Confidence Score

How confident is the analysis for this property, based on comp info and data quality.

Deal Score

The composite score that combines Value and Confidence:

  • Weighted combination of Value and Confidence factors
  • Lower score = better potential deal
  • Focus on properties with low Deal Score values and strong individual scores
Each score uses a letter grade system (A through E), where A is best and E is worst.

How are monthly rental estimates calculated?

Our rental estimates are derived from:

  • Current rental listings in the area
  • Historical rental data specific to the neighborhood
  • Property characteristics (bedrooms, bathrooms, square footage etc.)
  • Property condition and features
  • Seasonal market adjustments

Rental estimates are provided for the property in its rental-ready renovated condition.

What's included in the rental renovation cost?

Rental renovation costs are specifically tailored for rental properties:

  • More cost-effective materials suitable for rental properties
  • Focus on durability rather than high-end finishes
  • Improvements that maximize rental appeal while controlling costs
  • Required repairs to meet rental code compliance

This differs from fix & flip renovation costs, which often include more premium finishes to maximize resale value.

How does Deal Score work for rental properties?

Deal Score for rental properties is specifically designed to evaluate rental investment potential:

  • Calculated using rent yield, cash flow potential, and rental market strength
  • Considers rental-specific metrics like rent-to-price ratio
  • Includes rental vacancy rates in the area
  • Evaluates long-term appreciation potential

Like the Deal Score for fix & flip properties, rental Deal Score uses a 1-5 scale where 1 is exceptional and 5 is weak.

Can I view both rental and fix & flip analyses for the same property?

Yes! Our platform allows you to easily toggle between:

  • Fix & Flip analysis - Focused on ARV and short-term profit
  • Rental analysis - Focused on rental income and long-term returns

This dual analysis helps you determine the best strategy for each property or even consider a hybrid approach like BRRRR (Buy, Renovate, Rent, Refinance, Repeat).

Use the strategy toggle in the results view to switch between fix & flip and rental analysis modes.
How is the Maximum Allowable Offer (MAO) calculated for rentals?

MAO (Rental): Maximum Allowable Offer: The highest price you should pay to achieve your target cap rate. The calculation includes rehab costs, buying costs, and your configured expense ratio (covering taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, etc.).

Our MAO model helps investors confidently buy rentals that hit their return targets and avoid overpaying. It takes into account:

  • Expected Monthly Rent: Based on our rental estimate
  • Rental Operating Expense Ratio: Configurable in Preferences (defaults to 30%), covering taxes, insurance, vacancy, management, and maintenance
  • Target Cap Rate: Defaults to 10%, but can be customized in Preferences
  • Rehab Costs: Rehab estimates tailored to the property condition to reach rental-ready condition
  • Buying Costs: Acquisition costs including all closing costs
Do mortgage assumptions factor in?

Yes - while MAO is cap-rate based, we use mortgage assumptions to evaluate how financing impacts each deal:

  • LTV: 65%
  • Interest Rate: 7.0%
  • Loan Term: 30 years

These are used to calculate monthly mortgage payments and assess the deal's actual financing performance.

How is the Maximum Allowable Offer (MAO) calculated for fix & flip?

MAO (Fix & Flip): Maximum Allowable Offer: The highest price you should pay to achieve your profit goal. The calculation includes rehab costs, buying costs, holding costs, and selling costs.

Our MAO model for fix & flip helps investors achieve their target profit margins while accounting for all project costs:

  • After Repair Value (ARV): Based on our comprehensive comparables analysis
  • Rehab Costs: Detailed renovation estimates based on property condition to reach the ARV
  • Buying Costs: Acquisition costs including all closing costs
  • Holding Costs: Financing costs during renovation period
  • Selling Costs: Agent commissions, closing costs, and transaction fees
  • Target Profit: Your desired profit margin

Understanding Our Deal Scoring System

Our Deal Scores system evaluates properties across key dimensions: Value, Confidence, and Deal Score. Each dimension provides unique insights into the deal's quality and potential.

Deal Score (1-5)
1
2
3
4
5
Exceptional
Strong
Moderate
Below Average
Weak
Score Scale (A-E)
A
B
C
D
E

A = Best, E = Worst

Value Score
A

Indicates how good the deal is relative to the property's potential:

  • Primary Metric: Ratio between (Listing Price + Rehab Cost) and ARV
  • Example: A property listed at $150K with $30K rehab and $250K ARV has a better scoring than one with $200K ARV
Motivation Score
B

Shows seller motivation based on:

  • Days on Market (DOM)
  • Price reduction history
  • Status changes
Confidence Score
C

How confident is the analysis for this property, based on comp info and data quality.

Higher confidence scores (A or B) indicate high confidence in the analysis results.

Each score uses a letter grade system (A through E), where A is best and E is worst. The Deal Score combines Value and Confidence into a single number from 1 (best) to 5 (worst).

Understanding Our Rental Scoring System

Our Rental Scoring system helps you evaluate rental properties with the same precision as our fix & flip analysis. Below is an explanation of each score component.

Deal Score (1-5)
1
2
3
4
5
Exceptional
Strong
Moderate
Below Average
Weak

This is the overall rental deal score, with 1 being the best. It's not a simple average of the other grades, but rather a holistic ranking that considers how all scores interact, along with additional proprietary logic (e.g. specific market trends, anomalies, etc.).

This score is designed to prioritize the most promising rental deals for your investment strategy.

Rent Value (A-E)
A

This score reflects the financial potential of the rental deal based on:

  • The listing price of the property
  • Our estimated rehab cost (rental)
  • The projected monthly rent

A higher grade (closer to A) means the property appears to offer strong cash flow potential relative to its total investment cost. A lower grade (closer to E) may mean the property is overpriced or won't generate enough rent to justify the expense.

Motivation (A-E)
B

This grade measures how likely it is that the seller is eager to make a deal. We look at signals such as:

  • Days on Market (DOM)
  • Price reductions
  • Listing status changes (e.g. contingent → for sale)

A property with an A rating is showing high seller motivation, which could give you room to negotiate or move quickly. An E might suggest the seller isn't in a rush or isn't flexible.

Rent Confidence (A-E)
C

How confident is the analysis for this property, based on comp info and data quality.

This score represents the certainty of our rental analysis. Higher confidence scores (A or B) indicate high confidence in our analysis.

An A means we're highly confident in the numbers. An E indicates limited or inconsistent data - proceed with caution.

The rental scoring system uses the same A-E grading scale as our fix & flip analysis, where A is best and E is worst. The Deal Score combines these scores into a single number from 1 (best) to 5 (worst).

Smart Rehab Cost Estimates for Value-Driven Investors

Our SRCE (Smart Rehab Cost Estimates) are grounded in real, local data. We use up-to-date material prices from leading investor-focused home improvement suppliers, paired with average labor rates specific to the Pittsburgh area - validated by top-tier investment contractors. Our on-the-ground team continuously monitors pricing trends and project benchmarks, ensuring our estimates reflect current market conditions and real-world renovation practices.

Baseline Renovation Cost Guide for Investors - Pittsburgh
Item Unit Approx. Cost Notes / Source
Flooring Vinyl plank $2-$3 /sq ft Retail, material only
Vinyl tile $1-$5 /sq ft Retail, material only
Kitchen Small to mid-size kitchen $4,500-$14,000 Typical remodel range
Bathroom includes fixtures, flooring, labor $5,000-$15,000 Typical remodel range
Paint Interior (Gallon) $10-$13/gal Based on average Home Depot paint pricing
Exterior (5 gal bucket) $40-$60 Retail price range
Lights Fixtures $25-$80 each; recessed cans $10-$30 each Estimated based on Home Depot listings
Roof Installed cost $3.50-$5.50 /sq ft Market average for asphalt shingle installed roof
HVAC Full system $9,000-$16,000 total Average replacement range
Service $200 Standard service call
Appliances Refrigerator $1,000-$1,300 Typical Side by side refrigerator
Microwave $150-$350 Standard over‑range models
Washer / Dryer $700-$1,000 each Depends on capacity & features
Dishwasher $500-$800 Low to Mid-range standard built‑in models
Range $1,000 Freestanding gas range
Garage Door Door only $650 Steel panel door Home Depot listing estimate
Baseboards Material $0.50-$2/linear ft MDF or pine board pricing
Gutters Installed $1.50-$3/ft Aluminum, installed
Drywall Sheet $12-$15 per 4×8 sheet material Retail price
Installed $2-$3/sq ft Hanging, taping, finishing
Interior Door Pre-hung $90-$150 each Standard hollow-core types
Exterior Door Insulated steel $300-$600 (installed) Typical 6‑panel steel or fiberglass entry doors
Windows Double-hung vinyl $300-$500 each Standard Energy Star rated models
Masonry Brick $10-$30/sq ft; $4-$10/ft Repair & repointing labor/materials
Siding Vinyl siding $3.50-$7.00 /sq ft installed Installed cost range
*Local tax (7%) not included.
Investor Tip

Reduce your rehab expenses by sourcing discounted materials. Look for leftover inventory, closeouts, and clearance deals at big-box stores, local supply warehouses, and online auctions. These smart finds can significantly lower your material costs without compromising on quality.

Understanding Your Property's Neighborhood Rating

When analyzing investment properties, the neighborhood quality is just as important as the property itself. Our platform automatically evaluates every neighborhood using official U.S. Census data and assigns a letter grade from A+ (best) to D- (challenged).

What are Neighborhood Classes?

These neighborhood classes help you quickly understand:

  • Where your property is located on the quality spectrum
  • What type of tenants or buyers to expect in that area
  • Risk level associated with the location
  • Investment strategy that works best for that neighborhood
The Classification Scale

We use a 12-point grading system similar to how schools grade, but applied to neighborhoods:

Grade Quality Level Description Investment Potential
A+ Premium Top 10% of neighborhoods Highest property values, appreciation potential
A Excellent Top 20% of neighborhoods Strong buyer demand, stable growth
A- Very Good Top 30% of neighborhoods Desirable, competitive market
B+ Above Average Upper-middle tier Good rental demand, solid appreciation
B Good Middle tier Reliable cash flow, moderate appreciation
B- Average Middle tier Steady market, affordable entry
C+ Below Average Working class, stable Value-add opportunities, higher yields
C Working Class Moderate turnover Cash flow focused, manage turnover
C- Challenged Higher turnover High cash-on-cash, active management needed
D+ Distressed Improvement potential Speculative, turnaround plays
D Distressed High vacancy/poverty High risk, requires expertise
D- Severely Distressed Highest risk Avoid unless highly experienced
The 5 Key Factors We Measure

Our neighborhood classes system analyzes 5 critical neighborhood metrics from the U.S. Census Bureau:

1. Median Household Income (30% weight)

What it measures: Average income of households in the area

Why it matters:

  • Higher income = Higher property values and appreciation
  • Indicates ability of residents to pay rent or purchase
  • Strong predictor of neighborhood stability
Example:
• A+ neighborhood: $120,000+ median income
• B neighborhood: $60,000-$80,000 median income
• D neighborhood: Under $30,000 median income
2. Renter Percentage (20% weight)

What it measures: Percentage of occupied homes that are rentals

Why it matters:

  • For rental investors: High renter % = more rental demand
  • For flippers: Lower renter % = more owner-occupied buyers
  • Owner-occupied neighborhoods tend to be more stable
Example:
• High renter area: 60%+ are renters (good for landlords)
• Balanced area: 40-50% are renters
• Owner-dominated: Under 30% are renters (good for flips)
3. Poverty Rate (20% weight)

What it measures: Percentage of residents living below poverty line

Why it matters:

  • Low poverty = Economic stability and security
  • High poverty = Higher crime risk, collection challenges
  • Affects tenant quality and payment reliability
Example:
• A+ neighborhood: Under 5% poverty rate
• B neighborhood: 8-15% poverty rate
• D neighborhood: Over 25% poverty rate
4. Vacancy Rate (15% weight)

What it measures: Percentage of homes sitting vacant

Why it matters:

  • Low vacancy = High demand, easy to rent/sell
  • High vacancy = Economic distress, harder to find tenants
  • Indicates neighborhood health and momentum
Example:
• A+ neighborhood: 3-5% vacancy (healthy turnover)
• B neighborhood: 6-10% vacancy (normal)
• D neighborhood: 15%+ vacancy (struggling market)
5. Education Level (15% weight)

What it measures: Percentage of residents with Bachelor's degree or higher

Why it matters:

  • Highly educated areas have better schools and amenities
  • Educated residents value property maintenance
  • Strong correlation with neighborhood appreciation
  • Lower crime rates in educated communities
Example:
• A+ neighborhood: 60%+ have college degrees
• B neighborhood: 30-40% have college degrees
• D neighborhood: Under 15% have college degrees
How to Use This Information
For Buy-and-Hold Rental Investors

Target: B+ to C+ neighborhoods

  • Best balance of cash flow and stability
  • Affordable purchase prices
  • Strong rental demand
  • Manageable tenant issues
Example Strategy:
• B neighborhood: $150K house, $1,500/month rent, quality long-term tenants
• C+ neighborhood: $100K house, $1,200/month rent, higher turnover but strong cash-on-cash returns
For Fix-and-Flip Investors

Target: A- to B neighborhoods

  • Strong buyer demand for renovated homes
  • Higher ARV (After Repair Value) potential
  • Buyers have financing approved easily
  • Faster sales with less negotiation
Example Strategy:
• A- neighborhood: Buy at $250K, renovate $50K, sell at $350K
• B neighborhood: Buy at $150K, renovate $40K, sell at $230K
For Appreciation/Long-Term Hold

Target: A+, A, A- neighborhoods

  • Highest appreciation potential over time
  • Most stable during economic downturns
  • Attracts best tenants if renting
  • Easier refinancing and future exit
Example Strategy:
Buy in A- neighborhood, hold 10+ years
Lower cash flow now, significant equity gain later
Real-World Examples (Pittsburgh, PA)
Shadyside - Class: A-
  • Median Income: $82,000
  • Education: 68% college graduates
  • Vacancy: 5.2%
  • Poverty: 8.1%

Investment Insight:

✅ Excellent for flips - strong buyer demand

✅ Premium rentals - can charge $1,800-2,500/month

⚠️ High purchase prices - lower cash-on-cash returns

⚠️ Competitive - multiple offers common

Penn Hills - Class: C+
  • Median Income: $48,000
  • Education: 22% college graduates
  • Vacancy: 8.9%
  • Poverty: 14.2%

Investment Insight:

✅ Great cash flow - 12-15% cash-on-cash returns possible

✅ Affordable entry - houses $80K-$120K

⚠️ More management intensive - tenant screening critical

⚠️ Lower appreciation - focus on cash flow not equity

Homewood - Class: D
  • Median Income: $28,000
  • Education: 11% college graduates
  • Vacancy: 18.3%
  • Poverty: 42.5%

Investment Insight:

⚠️ Very high risk - only for experienced investors

⚠️ Collection challenges - expect payment issues

⚠️ High turnover - properties may sit vacant

⚠️ Safety concerns - affects property management

🔍 Potential for turnaround plays if area is improving

Common Questions

Q: Can a neighborhood's grade change?

A: Yes! Our system updates with new Census data annually. Neighborhoods can improve (gentrification) or decline (economic distress). We automatically recalculate grades as new data becomes available.

Q: Should I avoid all D-rated neighborhoods?

A: Not necessarily, but proceed with extreme caution:

  • If you're experienced and have strong property management, D neighborhoods can offer 15-20%+ cash-on-cash returns
  • If you're new to real estate investing, stick to B and C neighborhoods until you gain experience
  • D neighborhoods require active management, strong tenant screening, and higher cash reserves

Q: Is A+ always better than B?

A: It depends on your strategy:

  • For appreciation: Yes, A+ is better
  • For cash flow: No! B and C neighborhoods often have better cash-on-cash returns because purchase prices are lower relative to rents
  • For beginners: B neighborhoods offer the best balance of stability and returns

Q: How accurate are these neighborhood classes?

Very accurate because it's based on:

  • ✅ Official U.S. Census data - not opinions or estimates
  • ✅ Comprehensive metrics - 5 different factors, not just income
  • ✅ Percentile-based - compares each neighborhood to all others in the county
  • ✅ Objective algorithm - no human bias

However, remember:

  • Individual streets within a neighborhood can vary
  • Recent changes may not yet appear in Census data
  • Always drive the neighborhood yourself before investing

Q: Can I filter properties by neighborhood grade in the platform?

A: Yes! Use our filters to:

  • Show only A and B properties for flipping
  • Show only B and C properties for cash flow
  • Exclude D properties if you want lower risk
  • Sort by neighborhood grade to see the best locations first
Pro Tips for Using Neighborhood Data
  1. Match Strategy to Neighborhood: Don't try to flip in D neighborhoods or buy-and-hold in A+ neighborhoods (unless you're targeting luxury rentals)
  2. Understand the Borders: Census tracts have boundaries. A property 2 blocks away might be in a different grade neighborhood. Always check the specific address.
  3. Look for B-/C+ Transitions: These "border" neighborhoods often offer the best risk/reward ratio. You get C+ prices with potential for B- appreciation.
  4. Consider Multiple Properties: Having 5 properties in B neighborhoods is often safer than 1 property in an A+ neighborhood (diversification).
  5. Watch for Trends: If a C neighborhood was a C+ two years ago, that's a red flag. If it was D+ two years ago, that's a positive trend.
Quick Reference Guide
Your Goal Target Grades Priority Metric Expected Cash-on-Cash Risk Level
Appreciation A+, A, A- Income, Education 4-8% Low
Flip Houses A-, B+, B Income, Education N/A (profit on sale) Low-Medium
Balanced B, B-, C+ All metrics equal 8-12% Medium
Cash Flow C+, C, C- Vacancy, Renter % 12-18% Medium-High
High Risk/Reward D+, D Poverty (low), Vacancy 18-25%+ High
Data Source & Updates

Data Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates

Update Frequency: Annually (typically released in December for the prior year)

Coverage: All census tracts in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Transparency: You can verify any metric yourself at data.census.gov

Remember: Neighborhood classes are a powerful tool, but they're just one piece of your investment analysis. Always combine them with property condition, deal numbers, and your personal investment strategy for the best results.

One desk from the number to closing

You choose the offer. Ace, the AI deal copilot, drafts it and tracks the file. A licensed Pennsylvania buyer agent reviews the terms, submits the formal offer, and is the agent of record. The buyer signs the purchase offer.

How does the offer process work?

DealScanner carries the deal. You authorize each step.

  1. See the number. The analysis shows the price that reaches your target return before anyone represents you.
  2. Check terms. You set price, contingencies, and timing. DealScanner takes those proposed terms to the listing agent. This is not a binding purchase agreement.
  3. Watch the house. When there is an answer, a local agent walks the property on video. If a walkthrough is already on the listing, you can watch it now.
  4. Negotiate. Counters stay on the same deal, with what they do to your return. You decide whether to counter, hold, or walk.
  5. Close. The licensed buyer agent coordinates inspection, title, deadlines, and settlement.
Who represents me?

A licensed Pennsylvania buyer agent on the DealScanner desk is the agent of record. Ace, the AI deal copilot, underwrites, drafts, and tracks deadlines at any hour. She does not sign the offer. DealScanner handles listing-agent contact.

What does it cost to close?

Analysis is free to try, with no card. Starter is free. Investor is $39 per month, or $390 per year. Investor Pro is $129 per month, or $1,290 per year. On-market analysis on Starter is limited to 5 detailed analyses a day. Investor and Investor Pro include unlimited on-market analysis. Sheriff-sale analysis, a 500-property notebook, priority support, and API access are on Investor Pro.

Your subscription for the year before closing is credited when you close a deal. A later close credits only the subscription since the last credit. Starter is free, so there is nothing to credit.

The brokerage fee is 2.5% of the purchase price, or $1,950, whichever is greater, paid only at closing. If the seller does not pay it, you do. Broker commissions are not set by law and are fully negotiable.

Want to see the property first? Investor Tours are free and included when you close with DealScanner. Property-specific representation required. Videos already on a listing are free to watch when you are signed in. Usually ready in 24 to 48 hours. Close this deal through DealScanner and your subscription for the year before closing is credited to you.

Your Personal Deal Workspace

The Deals Notebook is your private spreadsheet of favorited properties. Tweak the numbers, take notes, build custom columns - then share the whole notebook (or a single deal) with a partner or mentor and collaborate in real time.

What is the Deals Notebook?

It's a per-user grid of every property you've favorited, with everything you need to underwrite them in one place:

  • Switch strategy per row - Flip, Rental, or BRRRR. The KPI columns recalculate instantly.
  • Override the numbers - Purchase price, ARV, rehab, rent, expense ratio, holding costs. Your overrides flow into the Deal Calculator and back.
  • Notes column - Free-form context per property; this is also where collaborator comments appear.
  • Custom columns - Add your own fields (e.g. "Tenant in place?", "Inspection date") that travel with the row.
  • Cell highlights and color tags - Mark a row hot/warm/cold and call attention to specific cells.

Your column order, widths, and pinning are saved automatically per user.

How do I share my notebook with a partner?

Open the Deals Notebook and click Share. You have two options, and you can use both:

  • Invite by email - Enter a friend, partner, or agent's email and pick a permission level. They get a one-click email link that drops them straight into your notebook.
  • Generate a public link - A tokenized URL anyone with the link can open. Useful for posting in a group chat or pasting into a deal-review thread.

You can revoke any share or change its permission at any time from the same dialog.

What permission levels are available?

Three levels, set per recipient:

  • View - They see the notebook live (your real numbers, your notes), but can't change a thing.
  • Comment - Same as View, plus they can add comments in the Notes column. You get an email + an admin Telegram alert when a new comment lands.
  • Edit - Full collaboration. They can change strategy, override the numbers, edit notes, and toggle highlights right alongside you.
What does someone I've shared with actually see?

They see your notebook the way you see it - same property list, same strategy KPIs, same notes - with a clear banner at the top showing whose notebook they're in and what permission they have. They can:

  • Open the Deal Calculator on any row to dig into a specific property.
  • Switch the strategy view (Flip / Rental / BRRRR) for themselves without changing yours.
  • Import properties they like into their own notebook (see below).
  • Comment in the Notes column (if granted Comment or Edit access).

Open Messages on the Deals page to see notebooks shared with you. A red badge appears when a new share lands, so you do not have to dig through email to find it.

Can I import properties from a friend's notebook into mine?

Yes. Anyone you've granted read access to your notebook gets two import controls:

  • Per-row import - A small download icon next to the calculator on each row of the shared notebook.
  • Bulk import - Tick checkboxes on multiple rows and the sticky "Import to my notebook" bar appears at the bottom of the page.

Imported rows arrive with the friend's strategy, calculator overrides, notes, custom fields, and cell highlights already in place - you don't lose their underwriting work. Each imported row is tagged with the source notebook for attribution, so you can always see where it came from.

Privacy: Comments left by the friend's other collaborators are never copied during an import. Only the data the original owner created travels with the row.
What happens if I import a property I already have?

You stay in control. A conflict-resolution dialog appears for every duplicate address with three choices:

  • Keep mine - Skip this row; your existing version is untouched.
  • Replace with friend's - Overwrite your annotation with theirs (your row is replaced, not merged).
  • Skip - Don't import this one at all.

Importing more than a few at once? Pick a resolution and tick Apply to all to handle the rest of the conflicts in one go. After the import, a summary toast tells you exactly how many rows were imported, replaced, kept, or skipped.

If an import would push you past your subscription's notebook capacity, the import partially succeeds up to your limit and an upgrade prompt explains what was held back - nothing is lost silently.

How do collaborators leave comments, and how am I notified?

Anyone with Comment or Edit permission can write in the Notes column on any row. As soon as they save:

  • You receive an email with the property address, the commenter, and a preview of what they wrote.
  • Rapid edits on the same row are debounced into a single email so a back-and-forth review session doesn't flood your inbox.
  • The comment is visible to everyone with access, alongside your own notes - so a discussion thread builds up in place.
Is there a limit on how many notebooks or properties I can have?

You always have one notebook (it's your favorites list, organized). Starter holds 10 properties, Investor holds 100, and Investor Pro holds 500. Custom columns are on Investor and Investor Pro. There is no separate per-collaborator fee.

Tip: If you hit your limit while importing from a friend, you'll see exactly which rows were held back and a one-click upgrade option - no need to delete anything to make room first.

How can I get help?

Support options include:

  • Ace, the AI deal copilot, in the app at any hour
  • Email support at [email protected]
  • This FAQ
  • Priority product support on Investor Pro
What are your business hours?

Ace answers at any hour, and analysis is available at any hour. A licensed buyer agent handles showings, listing-agent contact, and negotiations during standard business hours.