We certainly have some good companies represented here but don't assume that because anything here that might be advertised has any endorsement you need to do your due diligence on anything you do in RE.Turn key operations can be ripe with fraud or scams, there are those that have picked up very cheap properties, put lip stick on, put a partner type tenant in at higher than market rates to justify a much higher price to sell the package.

Using the passive losses from a crummy rental is one way to slap some lipstick on a pig.

In a 15 minute walk through and a trip around the property, I'm pretty close to rehab or costs for lipstick.

I'd suggest you not get involved with any heavy lifting (massive rehabs) something to add lipstick too and rent it or spin it off.

The trend seems to be shifting away from "lipstick flips" into more involved "value add" rehabs, but that doesn't mean that it is impossible.

There are investors that do this kind of thing with HUD homes as well.They sign paperwork at closing that they are occupying the property.Another component of this is fraud to a lender on a loan if you say you will be living there.The reason is lenders give certain rates to owner occupants because statistically you will fight much harder to keep a place you live in.If it's just a bad investment it is easier to walk away hence a higher rate and more down.This property from what you said is 2,400 X 12 = 28,800By half is 144,000 at a 10 cap based on 50% costs.The carpet and paint the bank put lipstick on it it appeal to a home buyer living in one unit and driving the price up.On a quad typically you could expect about 8,000 for the siding,4,000 for the roof,6,000 for 4 outside A/C units,if interior bathrooms and kitchens are outdated about 4,500 by 4 units is 18,000,then water heater and heater about another 6,000 total.So conservatively I have about 42,000 in immediate CAPEX.Every areas cost is different so I am just throwing mine out there.Now the other you say 20 quads total is what you need to worry about.If there are a bunch of short sales and foreclosures from vintage 2004,2005 loans then the new purchaser with a cash offer or a small debt service will rent below market to fill quickly and turn more or the same monthly cash as you.So you starting out at 600 rent monthly might go to 550 or 525 in your development.I have seen this happen.I have also seen even if your building is well kept quality tenants do not want to live next to the other buildings where landlords put in suspect tenants to fill up.Also some landlords with high debt service will drop rent instead of repair to keep tenants so they won't spend tens of thousands out of pocket to rehab.

What you're describing is just putting lipstick on a pig.

Find a starter lipstick rehab and go for it, don't underestimate repair estimates or patience, they'll both eat you alive.

REOs always have an inspection period, so if you do get an acceptance and the house is much worse than you expected, adjust your offer.Houses that only need a little lipstick are going to be harder to buy than ones that needs something more significant.

Sorry to hear you troubles Nate.I CRINGE when I always hear an investor say I bought a "turn key" investment.So far I have never heard of one turning out good but I am sure one exists.Those kinds of repairs costs can be normal.Especially if you have an older property that is being rented out more things will go wrong on a daily basis and it will be more management intensive.The item in your management agreement I am sure will be deemed and enforceable part of the contract unless it is deemed "vague and not descriptive and un-enforceable" by a court of law.Often these "turn key" investments are not deals at all as capital reserves and upfront repairs are misrepresented.I equate it to "lipstick on a pig".