Well you brought up another great point, vacancy cost and tenant turnover are two of the most expensive costs associated with owning a rental property.The way I handle that is I only invest in markets with stable population and job growth, near "7" or better schools and the median home price is very affordable for the medium household income for the market.That way I know there is demand and I know the people demanding can afford to pay what I need.

I've only had to reject one household for lying (they mistakenly figured the criminal check wouldn't go back to '90s, or include Alaska).

Save 6 months worth of household expenses of a normal budget, NOT starving yourself, including saving for retirement, etc, pay your mortgage ahead 6 months etc, and then maintain it.

I have a small, one bedroom apartment that was filled by a property management company with a household of 4 ( 2 adults 2 children ).  

The average income per household in America is only $51,000 while the average home is $190,000.

In order to keep my family a priority over working full time as an employee for my income, I believe that real estate investment is a way that we can supplement our household both in the short and long term.

My understanding is population growth, household income, construction, and vacancy rates are all important.

Perhaps you're lucky and can the tenant to bear the landline install expense.Highspeed DSL over landlines does not require anything special other than the service.Most households want TV and over-the-air service is dead today so you need to consider the Dish - - raises the question, How do YOU get TV?

Now we have no income in the household and its pretty rough at the moment.

Account Closed Why would you care about household chores and utility bills and who they are being paid by?