i did mediocre on purchase price, was about dead on, on rehab cost (took too long, though), and then held the property for so long that i ate 100% of my profit on mortgage and utilities.

Please inform me there, because all I see is vacancy until downtown picks up.The Filmore lofts?

Pick a grout color that matches the granite, and tell your tile installer to lay the tiles as close together as possible.

Maybe you could look into that.You could focus on graduates who are looking to stay in the area, pick yourself up a home, and lease option it out to one of them.

Operating expenses also include management (whether you do it or not), maintenance, advertising, vacancy allowance, office supplies, legal fees, evictions, court costs, utilities paid by the owner, lawsuits, fuel for your vehicle (going to and from you rental), damage caused by tenants in excess of the security deposit, etc, etc, etc.

Welcome Shawn...you have definitely picked the right place to learn the ropes....there is a wealth of knowledge on this site.

Secure public information from courthouses, utility districts, etc;6.

Pick one and dominate that one like Jimmy Hendrix would a guitar.If it takes a mentor, then fine, go for it.

All Utilities (Gas, Water and Electric)e.

I usually pick the ones that are similar to my subject and then drive the comps when I do my inspections.