Quote from @Jeffrey Bourque: Hello All, I am new and this is my first attempt at purchasing a property with the intent to create monthly cash flow.The property: Triplex Listed at $140,000 - Total monthly rent income $2,150 - Tenants want to stay and are all willing to sign new leases for 3 years - 8 beds 5 baths and 3,500sqft livable space on a 4,800sqft lot - Heat and electric paid by tenants and water trash paid by owner $180 month - I have managed to talk the selling price down to $105,000 with a kick of $10,000 for closing and commissions so $115,000 all in - Building is in fairly good shape according to pictures and questions but have not done a inspection yet - some general maintenance repairs are needed according to the seller but nothing that seems to bother the tenants. - Taxes are on the higher side at $6,000 yearMy Numbers: $115,000 putting 20% of my money $23,000 and finance the rest with total expense of $1,834Monthly expense numbers: Future Maintenance 13% $273 - Vacancy 5% $105 - Property Insurance 5% $105 - Property Taxes 23% $500 - Property management 10% $215 - Office/Travel/Legal 4% $84 - Mortgage 26% $552 - Monthly Cash Flow - $316 per month or $3,792 per year so Cash on Cash = 17%I think this looks like it is a deal worth doing and I also believe I can bump the total rent up by $50 each tenant which I think make it even better.

(Previous rent was $1,300 but we're about to put in a brand new kitchen from the studs, new flooring throughout the house, new furance, adding A/C, etc).So do we just pay for it all upfront and mostly drain all of our savings, or do I let the rent pay for it and utilize our other savings to get a second property this spring/summer to increase our cashflow? 

The house has a new roof, but HVAC and water heater replacement might be needed in the next few years.Also, mortgage rates are currently around 7%.

I believe it is completely reasonable to have a clause in your lease that places a cap on utilities with any overage (proven by a bill) being the responsibility of the resident.Our clause states that any electrical bill (we don't have gas, and water has never been a problem) that is over double the same month's bill from last year will have the overage assigned as a fee.It is important to keep your bookkeeping straight if you do assess a fee.

An auto body shop across the street that "stores" cars needing work there.Since abandoning the home, major landscaping would also be needed to clean up the walkway to the water.

It’s been bumpy with positive income. lots of expenses,  220 w batteryinstalled, utilities , gardener,  Water heater etc and cohost is eating up positive.

Along with a kiddy-pool sized litterbox in one corner of a room, cat urine and feces in the OTHER corner of the room on the carpet (newly installed by the seller when I bought), and a smell that made my eyes water walking in the front door.The lease has a clause for Tenant-Caused Damages resulting from tenant negligence.

Of course not, but required items such as electric, water, gas, and plumbing all need to be in working order.

I specialize in working with Canadians that own property down here (I live in Palm Springs, we might be the snowbird capital of the world?).

If you buy a hot water heater for the other unit, you can write off 100% because you have no personal use of that hot water heater. etc.