Combine that with some government austerity and the debt issue improves.

Hey Elizabeth - I'd factor in about $10k to get a padsplit up and running when it comes to furnishing which would include washer / dryer, additional fridge, bedding/desks, common area furnishings if you want to offer a little better experience.I'm only familiar with ATL - I think accounting for 1 move in / 1 move out per month is a good conservative assumption here.$8kish / year or so on routine and reactive maintenance combined which should include your cleanings, lawn care, maintenance calls ect. 12% per month of gross rents should be a good estimate if you want to look at it like that!

But the answer for everyone may differ.Here are the personal attributes I see in those able to achieve a higher than market ROI, enough higher to be able to “scale”.1- Knowledge of real estate principles, real estate law and real estate finance2- Minimum 3 -5 years full time, or near full time experience directly related to real estate investing3- Ability to utilize technology for increased efficiency, capacity, and accuracy4- Excellent hired legal counsel and excellent hired marketing help5- Established method(s) of obtaining consistently high QUALITY deal flow6- Ability to manage and choose people who are NOT employees: Attorneys, Appraisers, Mortgage Brokers, Real Estate Brokers, Title Companies, Surveyors, Marketing Specialists, Accountants, Contractors, Consultants, Property Managers7- A VERIFIABLE track record of success8- Ability to identify, analyze, and negotiate a deal that can be “worked” for “enhanced” ROI9- Some type of competitive advantage; for example for me it’s my ability to analyze and identify mortgage loans that are actually less risky than all other lenders believe (on the investing in debt side), and on the real property side it’s my ability to analyze”pull the trigger” with LESS information than other investors need,  combined with the ability to pay cash, or raise significant capital almost instantly as well as being able to obtain loans at the lowest prime customer bank rate with no recourse or personal liability.  

My $2000 also covers stuff that inevitably break under normal use - I had to replace a washer $700, a stove $600, a microwave $100, and a grill $400, all  within last 2 years, and paid close to $1000 for various service calls by electricians and HVAC techs and pest control. 

Thanks Hi Spencer, I have a seven-figure portfolio that is a combination of both hands-on (direct real estate) and hands-off (syndication and crowdfunding)In my opinion, both have their pros and cons and neither is 100% superior to the other.

The equity in my primary and other properties, combined with my income, provides the flexibility to borrow as needed—and I only pay interest on what I actually use.

I have three listings, 1. unit with a pool and hot tub, 2. unit with a hot tub, 3. both units together as a 12 sleeper.Gross monthly income (after booking channel fees) for the first unit over a 7 month period was $7309.Gross monthly income for both units over a 14 month period is $11,297 (after booking channel fees) As a long term rental the combined rent would be in the region of $5500.Is it possible to sell the property based on the income generated by the STR business or would the value always be based on bricks and mortar comps? 

COMBINED FROM BOTH DUPLEX SO ITS ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE YES THIS YEAR WAS HARD AND HEART BREAKING BUT ITS ALL ABOUT THE RESPONSE AFTER GETTING KNOCKED DOWN ! 

Investing in area you're less familiar with combined with multiday travel can be more costly than spending more in your own market.

A friend of mine invested in one last year—apartments upstairs, a small coffee shop downstairs - and the combination of income streams made it a steady performer.Scaling with a 1031 Exchange:While not applicable unless you sell a property, planning for a 1031 exchange could help you scale quickly while avoiding capital gains taxes.