@Alexandra King Once you realise that 'Wholesalers' (such as your potential self) are dealing in "Contracts" rather than "Real Property", it will help you sleep easier at night. 

I realised so much information I have gathered immediately became insync.

:We tend to be conservative in our analysis and use - 8.33% (1 month in 12) for a vacancy allowance;- 10.00% for maintenance and CAPX- 7% for property managementI realise this is part of the reason I am not finding "deals" in our local market ... but I'd rather pass on a property than have to run on a string.Because of the low vacancy rate (2-2.5%) most folks around here (including the mortgage brokers and banks) are using a 4-5% vacancy allowance.

We realised that was due to the lenders either considering the the property as an investment or a second home/vacation home.

I didn't realise it would be $5-10k per year!

I split fee with the tenants never pushed back and I pay much much more for the convenience of the rent even over free especially over systems like zelin cash where there's no reports in the clawback those funds.Folks don't realise that zelin cash and eBay PayPal those funds can be clawed backup to 2 months later.All ach based systems have sane claw back risk.Lol did you know that even a money order can be canceled and not be good funds?

I realise that there's no exact science to this, but I wonder if anyone is or has been in a similar situation.

I am sure there is no easy street and that is not what I am expecting here, but your question re our edge is very pertinent; it is one than I struggle with (and some of the reason for this post) and realise that any edge we may perceive we have is surely diluted by our current lack of proximity (though we hope to move back to the states in about 2 years). 

Some things can be realised in your own house as well.

I worked at the apartment complex for about a year and that's when I realised real estate is something I want to get into.