A longer amortization period has the same general impact on the payment as a lower interest rate and thus allows one to keep the interest rate at market and avoid the argument for an imputed tax.Originally posted by Financexaminer:This is highschool finance!

I don't know of any apartment owner who divides the trash bill up between tenants.Of the one water meter for a duplex, having just 2 units will not impact you that much, but on a larger scale dealing with apartment buildings of substantial units, it could hurt you.

Or do you do more what I plan to, take the cash month to month and those ugly years, take the hit... just ensure you have access to a proper amount of equity or credit to be able to pay for it when it does happen...The first is a bit more conservative, essentially your less leveraged as you're holding cash reserves... the second is more aggressive as you're likely taking the extra cash and further investing it.What are you guys doing, especially you with only a few properties that would be more impacted by the need for a new $5,000 roof.

Assume the same risk is involved, maybe not the same risks, but risks with similar impact.

If there is a downside to 7a loans, it is the fact that they come with adjustable rates.While don't think you'll have to worry about prime going high enough to impact your loan, you "can" refinance to a fixed loan if need be.You mentioned 4 years in the your response, but you should only have a 3 year prepayment penalty (if that's what you were referring to) and the percentage reduces each year (5/3/1) making it pretty painless to refinance by year 2 or 3.

Personally I like keeping my expenses down to a minimum as I don't want my lifestyle to impact my investing, like your investments have to feed your lifestyle.My investment stratergy is I stay in the cheapest primary residence and then I buy other houses so would be close to the rent dirt cheap to free up cash.

func=view&catid=6&id=2048 And in terms of personal impact, in my opinion, there's also nothing to worry about.

In my opinion, you should further research the foreclosure impact on your ability to borrow.

You said they're in a good area, and owners willing to finance, these also have a great impact on what someone will pay, owner financing almost always brings a premium, unless its a distressed seller.

There is a homestead exemption that's nice and some relief from sales tax recently installed for homeowners.Worst impact has been the point of sale assessment -- killing alot of deals, especially investment/commercial transactions.