So purchased right even in downturns you are still producing returns.I can only speak for the SA market as that is the only market that I have pulled and analyzed the data on back to 2004Hope this helps.

Hey BP! It's my first post :OI'm looking into doing a flip (also a first). I'm running numbers in my area, but I'm having a hard time believing I'll be able to purchase a place using the  70% rule. Here's an example: ...

Quickbooks can take to 100 doors if you have an accounting knowledge, like I said depends on your activities.Even cheap accounting programs can have a manipulated chart of accounts and sub-accounts to produce accurate financial statements in very little time.Accounting is the language of business, if you can't speak accounting then it's like being in France speaking only English. :)     

But leasing leaves more money in you pocket now, gives you a trouble free new car.

This leaves your actual positive cash flow produced by the property itself at only about $70 per month.

Maybe you can sell and take that cash to a better producing property in a bigger market?  

Leveraged investors have trouble making payments.

We all get in trouble when we force the deal.  

@Dustin Albers - I work with a team of realtors in Chicago that are knowledgeable, top producers that I have run all of my own deals through.

I say it is not a great investment because it does not met the 2% or even the 1% rule of thumb to produce good cashflow.