Obviously you can ask.

The answer is obvious.  

Total nooby question here: Would anyone park their money for a payout of 8-10% on their money after say 3 years?

I totally agree.

Say you buy for $150k and put $50k renovations on, that is $200k total acquisition price so you would need $7000 as down payment (get your seller to pay your closing costs hopefully). 

The total cost to me of all 5 suits was less than $1000.

Client Name: Property Adddress: Current Property Type: Post Rehab Property Type: Level of Finishes: List Structural Changes: Final Bed/Bath Count: Exit Strategy (sell or refinance): PHASE 1: PRE-CONSTRUCTION Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description Drawings $ - $ - $ - Permits $ - $ - $ - Expeditor $ - $ - $ - Alarm/Security $ - $ - $ - Temporary Fencing $ - $ - $ - Portable Toilets $ - $ - $ - Engineering Fees $ - $ - $ - Architectural Fees $ - $ - $ - Utilities $ - $ - $ - TOTAL PRE-CONSTRUCTION $ - $ - $ - PHASE 2: DEMOLITION Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description Interior Demo Exterior Demo Dumpsters TOTAL DEMOLITION $ - $ - $ - PHASE 3: CORE AND SHELL Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description Excavation $ - $ - $ - Foundation $ - $ - $ - Underground Plumbing $ - $ - $ - Drain Tile $ - $ - $ - Sump Pump $ - $ - $ - Steel $ - $ - $ - Floor Joists $ - $ - $ - Subfloor $ - $ - $ - Rough Carpentry $ - $ - $ - Interior Stairs $ - $ - $ - Dormer $ - $ - $ - Roof Masonry Siding Windows Exterior Paint Soffit/Fascia Gutters Landscaping Walkways Exterior Doors $ - $ - $ - Exterior Stairs $ - $ - $ - Porch $ - $ - $ - Deck $ - $ - $ - Driveway $ - $ - $ - Garage TOTAL CORE AND SHELL $ - $ - $ - PHASE 4: HVAC Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description HVAC Rough Furnace Condensing Unit & Lineset $ - $ - $ - HVAC Trim $ - $ - $ - TOTAL HVAC $ - $ - $ - PHASE 5: ELECTRICAL Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description Electrical Rough $ - $ - $ - Electrical Finish & Fixtures Low Voltage TOTAL ELECTRICAL $ - $ - $ - PHASE 6: PLUMBING Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description Water Service Upgrade $ - $ - $ - Sewer $ - $ - $ - Plumbing Rough $ - $ - $ - Water Heater $ - $ - $ - Plumbing Trim & Fixtures $ - $ - $ - TOTAL PLUMBING $ - $ - $ - PHASE 7: DRYWALL AND DOORS Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description Insulation $ - $ - $ - Drywall, Tape, Sand $ - $ - $ - Finish Carpentry (Trim) $ - $ - $ - Interior Doors $ - $ - $ - Interior Paint $ - $ - $ - TOTAL DRYWALL $ - $ - $ - PHASE 8: FLOORS Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description Hardwood Floors $ - $ - $ - Tile Vinyl Carpet $ - $ - $ - TOTAL FLOORS $ - $ - $ - PHASE 9: KITCHEN Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description Cabinets Countertops Backsplash Plumbing Fixtures $ - $ - $ - Light Fixtures Appliances TOTAL KITCHEN $ - $ - $ - PHASE 10: BATHROOMS Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description BATHROOM # 1 Tub $ - $ - $ - Shower Tile Vanity Countertop Plumbing Trim & Fixtures Light Fixtures Glass & Mirrors $ - $ - $ - Bath Accessories $ - $ - $ - TOTAL BATHROOM # 1 $ - $ - $ - BATHROOM # 2 Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description Tub $ - $ - $ - Shower Tile Vanity Countertop Plumbing Trim & Fixtures Light Fixtures $ - $ - $ - Glass & Mirrors $ - $ - $ - Bath Accessories $ - $ - $ - TOTAL BATHROOM # 2 $ - $ - $ - BATHROOM # 3 - Basement Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description Tub $ - $ - $ - Shower $ - $ - $ - Tile $ - $ - $ - Vanity $ - $ - $ - Countertop $ - $ - $ - Plumbing Trim & Fixtures $ - $ - $ - Light Fixtures $ - $ - $ - Glass & Mirrors $ - $ - $ - Bath Accessories $ - $ - $ - TOTAL BATHROOM # 3 $ - $ - $ - **Please add itemization of work for additional kitchens or bathrooms** PHASE 11: OPTIONAL Original Amount Net Adjustments Adjusted Total Description Other $ - $ - $ - Fireplace $ - $ - $ - Final Cleaning Staging Stucco Closets General Contractor Fee $ - $ - $ - Finish Carpentry $ - $ - $ - Underpinning $ - $ - $ - Footers $ - $ - $ - Contingency $ - $ - $ - TOTAL OPTIONAL $ - $ - $ - Total Estimated Cost of Repairs $ - $ - $ -

It isn't slimy like what the guru's did/do that inspired the BP founders, but it's not transparent or obvious either. 

I totally agree that the property must have a positive cash flow when moving out.

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