Estimating Maintenance & Capex Costs in Bay Area - Older Building

[Stephen Swanson]

Hi All,

I'm looking for a house hack in the Bay Area (SFH with ADU or 2-4 multi), probably an older building that is in good to rehabbed shape, in the $500K-$900K range. Rules of thumb of monthly 5-15% of rents for CapEx and 5-15% for maintenance seem too vague. If rent goes up or down 20%, suddenly my maintenance & CapEx costs go up or down 20%? Estimating correctly seems like the difference between a potentially profitable building (after moving out) vs a money loser. SF Bay Area landlords, do you have guidelines when analyzing older, maintained buildings online? During due diligence?

Thanks for any help!