I’m used to paying about $20 a yard for carpet and that’s including pad and install for a 60 ounce carpet.

Regardless of renting or selling, I'm looking at spending around $2,000 for smaller repairs which include paint, replacing carpet in the basement, and replacing a bathroom vanity. 

I actually borrowed $53,700 which included my $1,000 closing cost and 5pt loan origination fee.

Below I have included some of the details that I have, I am going this weekend to view the properties and find out more details:2 Different Duplexes:*$39,000 for Duplex #1 (Assessed at $47,500)*$20,000 for Duplex #2   (Assessed at $36,200)Duplex #1 Rents: *$600 and $400*$600 and $200All In $1,800/month.  

Just remember to have your name, contact info, and a call to action included in each piece.Keep us posted on what you go with.

My current offer with the numbers above would include a 10 year, 3% fixed rate loan on the $140,000, plus a 2nd (Interest-Only) loan, 10 years at 2% for the $180,000 balloon payment.

Re laundry money, i never include this in my calculation - i simply look at it as bonus income. your vacancy at 3% sounds low, again not knowing the location its hard to sell. 5% would be my lower estimate in high demand location and proven 100% occupancy in the last 2-3 years.Repairs and maintenance, unless the property was recently renovated top to bottom or you would renew the large items like roofs, HVAC, water heaters etc 5% and 4$ is tight. 

My plan is to counter back with a monthly payment in the middle of my first offer and his counter, which would only include a change to the 2nd interest-only mortgage from 2% to 2.5%, making the monthly payment close to $1,726/mo.

@Bart Hedgcock   He has been in the past including in the last week. 

This would include your mileage, home office deductions (if you have one), advertising you may have done to find the house, etc.I would make sure you get in contact with a Real Estate savvy CPA (plenty here on BP!)