Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

For residential multifamily properties (1 - 4 units), can you use a home warranty to take care of the repair costs associated with rentals?

Can try to reposition to Class B, but neighborhood may impede these efforts.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, but 15-20% should be used to also cover tenant nonpayment, eviction costs & damages.Tenant Pool: majority will have FICO scores of 560-620 (approaching 22% probability of default), many blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 2 years.

Cost of construction is expensive and about to get worse.

WE are seeing this in the Portland market.Montgomery Park the largest office complex in the state that sold about 7 years ago for 250 mil just got bought ( after no one bid it at foreclosure) for 25 mil by Menashe family. its over 1 million sq ft.. dont think you can lose on something like that. reminds me of the buys in 2010 in some markets were sfr's were selling for 1/4 of replacement costs..

They will have additional costs for mailing & online campaigns to get leads.

Quote from @Erick Pena: A "good" rental property is one that covers all expenses (mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance, property management fees, and any other costs) and still leave a surplus (commonly referred to as cash flow).Calculate cash flow as: Cash Flow = Rental Income − Operating Expenses − DebtThere's much more to it, but that's the basic idea.

Focus on areas with strong rental demand, like Broad Ripple, Fountain Square, or near universities like Butler and IUPUI.Maintenance Costs: Indiana weather can be tough on properties, so budget for seasonal maintenance like snow removal and HVAC servicing.Additional AdviceKeep an Emergency Fund: Unexpected repairs or vacancies can arise, so having 3-6 months of expenses saved will help you weather any surprises.Build a Reliable Team: I have lists of contractors, handymen, cleaners and property managers if you'd like me to send.Good luck with your property and future expansion!

If your property management company is good and has built an internal maintenance team which has set rates and had strong relationship relationships with licensed contractor which should keep costs in control, you should never need to shop contractors on your own I wouldn't think.So in short, our policy is give us your preferred contractors upfront if you have them, but then we work all tickets to resolution including dispatch, and payment of invoices.This is of course for operational expenses.  

We are in a constricted market cycle, low volume, strained budgets, high costs.