The calculation for a 10 Year CD at 1% Fixed Annual Interest Rate looks like this:Now that we have the calculation referenced in terms of today's safe investment by using a CD (yes, we can use Treasury Bonds, but the average person probably doesn't even know how to do that), we can benchmark possible Investments using BOTH in order to get the equivalence.As a Stock Example, let's say you were to buy a bunch of stocks and you Invested $30k total for all the stock you purchased.

I’m a newbie l, and I understand this is a who get it’s it first type deal but I mean I still have bench marks I have to hit before I shop to a buyer.

I realize this question is incredibly vague and depends on a whole plethora of factors…In general, what benchmark or criteria did you use to feel financially “comfortable” investing in real estate?

Hello Steven,If you already have a set benchmark credit score for your potential tenants, follow that.You may also ask this person to show her past rent payment history.Thank you and Good luck!

I have had a fairly long commute (45 minutes) for years, and my benchmark was always to try to keep my car ownership costs for my commuter to less than 3 cents per mile.

So I would go and look at recently sold properties and see where that benchmark is.

We could probably benchmark other properties to see their taxes and what we may be looking at down the road. 

Is there a commonly used benchmark or an optimum setup?

We have received zero push back and will probably increase again next year - my main benchmark is wage growth which is currently at about 5%.  

Also what is a good bench mark as far as profit from the sale.