I wonder if there is a way to simplify this.

But they will simplify management which will probably have an impact on vacancy and indirectly on NOI.

You define your costs, build in some overhead, and that's your fee.That's a very simplified explanation.

(I have been using this strategy for my part time work for 4+ months now so I am very familiar with it, and have access to technology that simplifies the process).

Having a good tenant in place simplifies things for you, but having a mediocre or bad tenant can make things difficult.

That's a simplified explanation.

Seems like it might be easier to just fold it into the mortgage, get the lower rate and simplify things down the road.

Last thing I would want is to pay this Seller his money only to find out down the road that I don't have clear title, but if I knew for a fact that signing at the embassy/consulate wasn't needed, that would definitely simplify things a little bit.Aside from that, though, like I mentioned above, the other issue I'm dealing with is that when closing docs were already sent to the Seller (with a pre-paid return courier label) he claimed that he didn't receive them, despite tracking info indicating otherwise. 

So while 4+4 = (8 * 12) - {(4 * 4 * 5) + (2^3)} the more detailed approach could allow an REI to avoid something the more simplified approach (only relying on the 1% rule for example) might miss.Be well,

IF both options lead to a net loss, then it probably comes down to:  which move is going to simplify your life in a way that encourages you to your Vision for life?