if the property is $100K and the rehab is $60K you'll need 10-15% down plus closing costs plus holding costs - conservatively 16-24K + 5-10K + 6-12K = 30-45K at leastand you don't want that to be all your savings... so you'd need separate savings and emergency funds - i'd want 25-50K depending on situation, lifestyle, etc.so 50-100K i guessbut that's just a horseshoes and hand grenade estimatethese types of questions are hard because we don't know much about you or your financial situation

The 25 % is accounted for vacancy due to the lender being conservative.

I build and the construction estimates you've mentioned look too conservative.

., etc. is going to make every property unique, but it would be great to come up with a rough rule of thumb that will allow a conservative estimate.

Some ideas would be to: Take a look at a market report for Pittsburgh and add a few percentage points to be conservative, Call around to multifamily brokers or property managers in the area and ask their vacancy rate, asks banks what their vacancy assumption is for underwriting, etc...

We are both pretty conservative and as such we thought maybe something small like a mobile home would be a good place to start.We would love to hear people’s thoughts and we are interested in connecting with people and hopefully finding some mentors. 

You want the exit cap rate to be higher than what the entry/buy cap rate isIf it isn't, that will tell you everything you need to know about how conservative the underwriting is 

Just make sure you buy right and bake in a very conservative underwriting. 

In my underwriting, I would always use the lower rent value as I desire conservative underwriting.   

I’m sure other investors will say I’m wrong but I’ve been through several real estate downturns in my life and I’m a strong believer in being at least a bit conservative.