. ==== Projected Income ====**Off Season**-$4,000/Month Rent Period: September - May (7 Months) Projected Income: $28,000**Summer 1**-$8,000/Week Rent Period: June (4 Weeks)Projected Income: $32,000**Summer 2**-$8,500/WeekRent Period: July-September (12 Weeks) Projected Income: $102,000**Optional** (Basement Apartment)-$2,000/Month -Rent Period: Year Round Projected Income: $24,000TOTAL PROJECTED INCOME: $186,000 ==== Operating Cost ====-Mortgage: $84,000 ($7,000/Month) -Utilities: $36,200Gas $6,000 ($500/Month) Electricity $6,000 ($500/Month) Internet $2,400 ($200/Month) Garbage $5,000 (Estimate) Pool $4,000 ($250/Week)Landscaping: $4,000 -Mowing: $2,400 ($150/Week)  -Clean Ups: $1,600 (Spring & Fall)-Weekly Turnovers: $8,800 ($550/Week)==== Legal Cost ====Summer Rental Fee: $20,100 (15% of $134K)Sandwich Rental Tax: $6,855 (15% of $45,700) NET PROFFIT: $38,845.00

And yes I have done one in 50 years in the industry.Facts:1. purchase contract and gave 50k up front to bring tax's current. 2. it was all cash no contingencies.3. seller just goes dark no response to anything.4.

Compare this to your total monthly costs, including mortgage, insurance, taxes, vacancy and maintenance.

It’s stable cashflow and long term appreciation and tons of accelerated bonus depreciation on taxes. like most anything in real estate it’s a long term play. 

The article also fails to mention that overall transaction costs can actually be higher in countries where commissions are lower because the agent plays a different role, and due to needing to pay a lawyer for paperwork that agents complete here as part of their job (called a solicitor in Britain) plus VAT taxes and other closing costs need to factored in on top of the sales commissions, which we don't have here, overall costs can actually be higher even if commissions are lower. 

A colleague recently closed on a 12-unit property in San Antonio and shared that a 6.8% cap rate, combined with lower property taxes, made it a no-brainer.

Aloha @Daniel Kam - most of Kakaako has a 180 day rental minimum, so if you haven't checked with your building association, I recommend you verify what the minimum rental period is for your building.If you are allowed to rent for less than 180 days, you will then need to apply for a GET license, and well as TAT/OTAT and pay the appropriate taxes on a regular basis.  

I haven’t made any profit yet and I’m wondering if I should still file taxes for my “business “. 

It will also allow you to pull some cash out if you have the equity and for tax purposes.You can have two VA loans at the same time but having two means that the second home may not qualify for 100%. 

Start small and aim for properties that cash flow well, even after accounting for taxes, insurance, and repairs.Most importantly, keep taking action!