I am in a pickle right now because my mom is turning 80 and not very active.

I go to vacant properties at least weekly unless they are multi-family with active neighbors.)Generally speaking, if a property isn't moving (and others in the area are), either you are priced too high or there is something lacking with your property.

., plumbing, window replacements, and sheetrock repairs), but it still needs work to get the vacant units ready to rent.It’s located in a neighborhood with a higher crime rate but also near major highways and areas with rental demand (e.g., downtown Fort Worth and Texas Christian University).My Goal:I’m focused on cash flow, and this property seems like it could work if I can stabilize it.

Some great info can be found on the PropertyInvesting.com.au forum and Somsersoft.comI use to be quite active on these forums before I moved to the US.

Cincinnati and Columbus chapters are very active here and nationally and a great resource for networking, recommended contractors/vendors and education.

Unlike some buyers, I ALWAYS go look at the properties before the sale and discovered that the vacant lot had an active railroad track on it and therefore was unbuildable, and would remain unbuildable until the railroad removed their track. 

You have used home equity lines of credit to purchase investment rentals and want to know the best way to pay down the HELOCs.Between the two properties you bought, after expenses, you have $250 a month positive cashflow to use.What I like to do is pay down some principal every month with my positive cashflow.I use my extra active income from real estate commissions helping other investors to pay down the principal even more which just frees up that credit for me to use again.I know I can refinance the HELOC debt before it changes to principal and interest as it is just interest only payments as yours are.One difference is the cashflow, I have greater positive cashflow and could make the principal and interest payment in the future with the extra cashflow I already enjoy.I always get HELOCs on my income properties as well after purchasing them to pull out as much of my downpayment as possible.

When it comes to real estate, here's a general list of eligible assets and their depreciable lifespans that you should know: Residential Rental Property = 27.5 yearsThis includes any building or structure where 80% or more of its gross rental income is from residential units.That means:- Apartment buildings- Single-family rental homes- Duplexes, triplexes, and quadplexes- Mobile homes (used for residential rental)- Any kind of residential lodging facility where the primary purpose is long-term rentalCommercial Property = 39 yearsThis includes non-residential properties like:-Office buildings-Retail stores and shopping centers-Warehouses-Industrial complexes-Hotels and motels that do not qualify as residential rental propertyLand Improvements = 15 yearsThese include sidewalks, roads, fencing, some landscaping, and parking lots that are separate from the building.Personal Property = 5 or 7 yearsPersonal property used in a rental activity usually has a 5 or 7-year life.This includes most furniture, appliances, carpeting and various machinery.Qualified Improvement Property (QIP) = 15 yearsGenerally, this includes any improvements made to the interior of a non-residential building after the building was placed in service, excluding elevators, enlargements, and the internal structural framework.Computers and Related Peripheral Equipment = 5 yearsVehicles = 5 yearsNote that the land itself is not depreciable.

If the way to increase the selling value of a MFH is to increase NOI by increasing income or decreasing expenses; why are the majority of sellers putting their properties on the market with under market rent?  

Those four classes are where the majority of investors will buy rentals.