First Time Investor - Numbers Help

[Ian Handel]

Hi, could I run these numbers by you and ask you what you think?

I am looking at a duplex in southern NH. It is in excellent condition and is a 2bd on one side and 3bd on the other, both have 2 full baths.

At the low end, rents in town are: 2bd = 1000 and 3bd = 1200.

If I purchase it for 200,000 with 40k down, the mortgage, taxes, insurance would be 1500/month.

Rent would be 2200/month (at the low end). Leaving a cash flow of 700.

This does not include maintenance, snow or grass.

Do you think these numbers hold up?
What else do I need to be considering?
Will I really have a cash flow of $700, or is that wishful thinking?

Thank you for your time, Ian

[Michael Seeker]

You will have a monthly cash flow of $700 until you don't. When you don't, it might be $200 because you need to replace a stove ($700 - $500) or it might be ($6000) because you need to replace the roof ($700 - $6700). There are a lot of expenses associated with rental properties. Most people on here subscribe to the 50% rule, meaning 50% of your rent will be eaten up by expenses over the long haul. With that approach you would have a cashflow of -400 per month.