The amounts these homes would command as long-term rentals is a small fraction of their current income.

I’m in Scotch Plains and I’m very familiar with Berkeley Heights which is a pretty nice and would command good money on a move in ready property.

Although our portfolio is growing substantially and we've got solid income coming in, I'm not sure that it's quite at the point where it would stand alone on its own and command financing options (without my wife's W-2 income). 

It can be rented out in it's current condition, however it needs to be renovated to command market rents.

It can be rented out in it's current condition, however it needs to be renovated to command market rents.

Is the house in a condition that will even command financing?

The numbers work but if it’s a war zone I can’t imagine many people have 1000$ a month to rent one side of your duplex are you sure you can command rents that high on an apartment? 

You can include HOA fees in your rent if your area commands it.

If the tenant is struggling but the area has changed and now instead of all mom and pop tenants some regional and national tenants are interested you might could command much higher rents.So in 2 ways or more the value could improve.

If you think about the command structure, there is only one guy at the top and a bunch of enlisted at the bottom.