So let’s say you are looking at a duplex (2 unit) as long as the rents total per month from the ( 2units) are equal to or greater than the PITI payment its approved.The way you shop for the home is by sale price and using the loan amount after down payment as your calculation.

I mean - you can, but you will still have to include the semester-long rentals when calculating your average annual stay, and it will break the 7-day rule.

Back in the day we carried a balance of $100,000+ that was owed to us and that is now down to only $10,000 or so and we only cover out of pocket if it's an emergency.The PM must have sufficient reserves to do the necessary maintenance work and shouldn't be chasing landlords for money.Just my opinion...Also, a PM's number 1 profit center is maintenance up charge.Landlords don't have much insight and PM's nickel and dime to death on those.If you are suspicious, ask for a receipt so they aren't making up non existent maintenance.Let them make their money tho and calculate that into your expense pro-forma.Otherwise, manage yourself and deal with the $#%^@ that comes with it lol.Multifamily in Ohio, you can get for $25,000 - $35,000 a unit.Drop another $5,000 - $10,000 into the turns and rents should be North of $800pm.Decent area's also.Personally, I wouldn't get out of bed unless I'm making the above numbers.Wishing you much success

Start running calculations on your numbers and you will see some areas which can work.

I'm confused about what exactly gets included in the operating expenses that are used in the DCR calculation - perhaps there's some variability?

Cashflow is easily calculated on a spreadsheet.

Definitely encourage you to practice analyzing a few properties using the “Deal Finder” at the top of your screen, and the Calculators (Under “Analyze Deals). 

Understand the fees involved and calculate the total cost for an entire year of management so you can compare the different managers.

Their pro forma sheet doesn't take into account ANY vacancy or repairs when calculating cash flow, and the rent comps are...ambitious. 1.

For these properties, I’ve calculated the Net Operating Income (NOI) based on 100% occupancy, then subtracted approximately 33% for expenses.Storage 1Unit Number: 105Size of Land: Litter under 1acre, probably not expandablePopulation: about 34K within 3 miles,Population Growth: 2-5% per yearTraffic Count: about 4KRent at 100%: $110KProjected NOI after deducting 33%: $73.7KAsking: $900KOffer price: $730-780K?