Robert,If the objective of your purchase is cash-flow, then appreciation matters little - don't get me wrong, it's still nice, but the success of the investment does not rely upon it.Matching your product - in your case, single-story (ranch style) duplexes - to your clientele ({nearly} retired, aging tenants who do not wish to contend with stairs as they grow old or those with mobility issues), whether done explicitly or intuitively, is the key to low turnover.We are considering a multi-family unit which is comprised of 25-row houses in a single story garden home format as it has an appeal to our aging population.

So I'm 75 days into a shortsale and the lawyers/Wells Fargo are sending me tons of paperwork to sign such as: Arm lengths addendum's, intent to comply with housing maintenance code, cash escrow agreement, Short Sale Affidavit and to close within a 60 day period.My main question is, is it normal to get a housing maintenance and cash escrow account where there are requiring the following:1.

NO 'tisnt, your arm's off!"

I agree with @Michael Siekerka , one LLC, if correctly structured and maintained at an arms length is enough corporate veil protection.

But be prepared for ARMs.

@Daniel Cruz NASB is great bank, I got a loan with them last year on a property inside of my Solo 401(k) Trust, 60% LTV, 4.875% on a 5/1-ARM loan.

@Matthew SmithWe pay for our learnings one way or another.Get a GC and learn through the process.To systematize property management get a ARM certified property manager from IREM.org follow how they do it then adopt the system as yours.Good luckPaul

Many listing explicitly say do not walk around property do not park there do not talk to tenants or neighbors.So the only info is based on address, country information as far as age, number of units, sq ft etc, and asking the agents.

For me, this lending is generally 5/5/5 ARMs amortized over 10, 15 or 20 years.For the commercial lending, there is generally no foreclosure process, the bank has all the paperwork to simply take the property.

I buy houses as personal properties with the explicit point of renting them out when we leave.