As long as you're charging market rents and not screwing them, that's your business proposition.It may not seem like much money but $25 * 10 tenants equals one dishwasher you could have replaced...5 screen doors...6 months of water...you get the idea.I hope I don't sound too cold, but I've never gotten a free $25 box of chocolates from the Ford Motor Company for buying their car...and if I did, it wouldn't make the slightest impact on my next car purchase.

I wrote in my Article this week ( http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2008/12/15/tales-from-the-pacific/ ) about a retired Ford dealer that I met on my vacation.

I bought Ford(F), Bank of America (BAC), Sirius(SIRI), Citigroup(C), Fannie Mae(FNM), Freddie Mac(FRE), and AIG back in March 09 (around the time of the Bail Out)and have seen about a 150% return so far..........

Not in the real estate or finance business at all.leverages the CA home to the hilt then goes to the mid west and pays cash for D class low end rentals.. so now what does this guy have no experience in the trench's  2,000 miles away from his investments.. and no equity in his personal residence anymore that would be tax free if he sold it.. and own what is arguably the most risky investment in the rental realm low end D class in the mid west.. that is see as reckless..

There are areas closer in like off Beatties Ford and Independence that I think give you a shot at upside appreciation.  

Yes, ever since LOTUS 123 (For youngsters - 123 was Excel before Excel). 

@Linda Ford , we need a lot more detail than that to help you with your questions. 

However, with a single-family home, especially in Class-A/B neighborhoods, the tenant covers all of their utilities and as for insurance the landlord probbaly has an umbrella policy on the property.Many thanks,-EricEric, I totally agree @Joe Villeneuve on this:I don't use these 50% or 30% rules when doing my property analysis.I look at deals on a deal-by-deal basis.50% rule becomes too conservative for A and B properties and too aggressive for D & F properties.

I heard that Ford was going to purchase the old train station to bring a ton of tech jobs. 

A brand new ford F 350 4 door dually , diesel , king ranch .