Rule of Thumb Expense Ratio: SFR vs. 4'Plex (#askBP)

[Asim G.]

Hi,

I have owned a triplex insince 2009 and am looking to buy some SFR as buy and hold. My average expense for the five years have been 46% and just like @Brandon TurnerI was impressed by how close the this was close to the 50% rule of thumb. Do I need to adjust this rule of thumb for SFRs given that:

1. Typical SFR tenants are more long term and have lower turnover.

2. Typical SFR have lower maintenance costs.

3. Typically SFR landlord doesn't have to pay gardening, water, sewer and trash. These line items amount to ~10% of the rents collected in my case.

I would love to hear about this topic from folks who own Multi-Families and and SFRs. This is also a submission for #askBP

Thanks