Looking to get my first M1 Garand.

There are a few locally. I know very little about these.

As a general starting point, what is the value of a decent condition Springfield Garand?

Thanks

Around here, starts about $1200 in Service Grade shape.

I think CMP pricing is $750 or so when available.
Ymmv

CMP grades and sales  

Take a look at the cmp inventory, if you buy locally, make sure it's a "real" Garand.  

If the serial number is higher than 6084405 run.

If its a nothing special, shooter grade M1 with mismatched parts, chances are it came through the CMP at one time. Do not overpay, as the fudds love to mark them up. Check out the link above and get one through the CMP.

Unless you’re looking for something specific just go CMP, supports a great operation and way cheaper than you’ll probably find on armslist

An additional benefit of buying from the CMP is, any problems and they'll take care of it.
Buy locally and you seldom get any kind of warranty.

Also, if you want to upgrade a CMP M1, they do custom gunsmithing for members.

Great way to get started in M1 collecting. You will be guaranteed to get a decent rifle at a cheap price. Once you buy a CMP service grade you have a reason to do research to learn about it. While doing research you will learn a lot you can use to knowledgeably buy locally.

Be really careful of the local market. There is a lot of poor examples sold for way more than CMP pricing. Worse cases are welded receivers. Not so worse cases are CMP field grades, imports and sewer pipe barrels sold for several hundred more than a CMP service grade. Right now there is a really good looking Garand on Gunbroker going for over $1000 with a welded receiver and cracked stock. People obviously don’t know what they are bidding on. The 1903 market is as bad or worse with all the rebuilt drill rifles.

I resisted the cmp for awhile because of all the hoops. When I actually sat down, printed off the forms, paid the affiliated club and mailed my papers in I had maybe 1 hour in doing all the work. Had my 1942 springfield in about 2 weeks to my door.

Go through the CMP. I did and got a really nice Springfield for $650.