What are some easy ways to estimate costs when analyzing B&H properties?

[Jeff L.]

What are some easy ways or rule of thumbs to estimate costs when you analyze a buy and hold property? It could be a website, or a percentage of the property or rent price, or a fixed price, etc.

Please use the following template when responding:

- Rent:

- Closing Costs:

- Insurance:

- Property tax:

- Utilities:

- Property management fee:

- Vacancy:

- Repairs/capital expenditures:

- Other rule of thumbs you can think of:

An example:

- Rent: Rentometer.com, Zillow, Padmapper.com

- Closing Costs: $5000

- Insurance: ?

- Property tax: Zillow

- Utilities: ?

- Property management fee: 10% rent

- Vacancy: 10%

- Repairs/capital expenditures: 20%

I'm trying to figure out easy ways to analyze properties on a first pass (before narrowing down and getting more accurate numbers).

For example, I've never purchased a property before so I have no idea how much I should add for the closing costs. Is there a way to estimate it based on the price of the property, or do they usually tend to be x thousand dollars?

I also think it'd be interesting to see the different percentages different people use for vacancy, property management, or repairs.