As I'm crunching the numbers, it appears that while we're living in the property we'd need to pay about what we are paying for our mortgage now, and once we move we'd basically just be breaking even (all things considered- taxes, vacancy, etc.). 

When you look at a potential property, you crunch your numbers and your monthly capex (5% or so) is going to run you at $250 a month (roof, water heater, hvac etc,).

Hey Bigger Pockets fam, I'm JP Wurth and I'm an engineer for Corvette engine assembly in Bowling Green, KY.I have just got my primary residence under contract set to close at the end of May.I will have a good chunk of equity coming my way after closing, and knowing this cash is one of the hardest aspects of getting started, I don't want to miss the opportunity.The most I could borrow is 400-450k total between primary residence and investment.As properties pop up in this sellers market, I'm crunching numbers on a small down payment (5-20%) on a primary residence, and 20% down on an investment property.

Biggest challenge for me was the seller and my time crunch.

@Patti Robertson Guess it's number crunching time...

I've crunched the numbers and if I could purchase three four-plexes in the next ten years, that would give me the financial independence I'm looking for."2.

sure will, just so you know i flipped a few sfh in florida ( palm beach county) from 2005 to 2007 and got out before the crunch of 2008. for example i got a sfh for 475k sold for 599k 1 year later i unloaded all of them about 6 months before the crash. had a home in nj paid 196k & sold for 530k. the moral of the story is i am used to the ups & downs of any market. i am also a stock market junkie also. the homes that were sold in 2005 at the breakout of the market are at or above the high back then.

You won't need to pay for a new roof in a few years either unless the association does not have it together or if it's not covered.I think that once you crunch the numbers you might find the HOA fees can still work.

Hi BP community -I'm new to real estate investing and this is the first house I have looked at to use to learn how to crunch the numbers.

Connect with the seller.I usually connect with a good discussion on family, community, growing up 'back in the day'.I usually end with, "well I'm going to drive around and look at some of the properties that recently sold in the area, get back to the office and crunch some numbers and I'll make you an all cash offer within 24 hours".