I am personally interested in rented properties.

Here’s a few sources referencing that method (http://www.jwbrealestatecapital.com/how-much-rental-income-to-holdback-for-maintenance-and-repairs/, http://www.zillow.com/blog/investing-101-estimating-rental-property-expenses-94824/, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/much-should-landlord-allocate-monthly-maintenance-repairs-80019.html, http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2012/05/29/look-at-maintenance-costs-before-leaping-into-homeownership). 

@Michael Lang,Indeed - your thread title was well chosen.The entrepreneurial mindset differs quite radically from the consumer mindset.The consumer mind says, "How much does it cost?"

Personally I love the art of the deal and transacting.In commercial leasing agents specialize so first mention the asset class, then deal size.Hope it helps some.    

I personally like carpet in bedrooms, and it is cheap to start with/replace.  

If you have other applicants wanting to rent, and they are either better, or just as good, you may choose to select them over the person with the dog. 

I am trying to complete the application for Trade Name and on question #4 its asking me, Do I have a personal property account ( " L " number) and if no it's directing me to complete an annual personal property with the State of Maryland Assessments and Taxation Department and I have no property to report at this time.

I do not want the income to flow through to my personal return because I want less income to be reported for better college financial aid for my kids.  

Write it up as a personal letter.When you do all that, then contact a local RE Agent to give you a list of all the houses in that neighborhood that have sold in the last 5 years with all cash.

I would speculate that the average person doesn't know about owner financing.