I mostly agree with Huong, but in specific cases, a small negative cash flow is not the end of the world.

Each one has a specific reason, to be sure.  

For us, the only time we pay contractors upfront is when it is for really specific jobs like full HVAC and full Electrical jobs, and these are somewhat large companies with vans and trucks, so we know that these guys aren't running anywhere with our $3k upfront payment. 

While I’m not in Little Rock, I’ve found that networking with local brokers and property managers can be key to uncovering neighborhood-specific insights.

I noticed that Chase and Bank of America charge fees for wires unless you meet specific criteria.

@Nicholas DillonRentometer can give you a rangeZillow also can give a rangeThe best source would be to call a loc a property manager or realtor and have them also give you a range as at end of day they will have most recent and updated numbers and have a better feel for where the market is at

I have a few friends who is very pro Ohio (Akron and Columbus specifically), but i ventured elsewhere.

Bogleheads was the source of most of my formative personal finance education (for ~14 years), and it’s relevant because the SWR discussions there are typically in the 2-4% range.

From my experience, attending local meetups, lending-specific events, and networking with experienced investors can open doors.

One of my first questions is always - "what are your specific goals?"