If you’re takin pets, add a pet fee, put “PET FRIENDLY” as your first headline words, inspect monthly for the first 4 months, expect a surprising number of “im a dog trainer so my animal is exceptional” responses since calling yourself a dog trainer is as easy as grabbing a saw and calling yourself a carpenter, and ALWAYS meet the animal - preferably at the showing so you see how it reacts in a higher stress situation of new people and new noises etc.

Since it is an older unit and in shambles, don't be surprised if unplanned plumbing and electrical work will be required.

Also, the whole 'can't check for leaks' aspect is a recipe for unhappy surprises, especially since it's clear there is water damage alreadyNow, all that being said, if you are looking for a property you can fix up and then rent or sell, and the seller is willing to drop the price to a level where your rehab costs won't destroy your returns, that's another thing.

I'm surprised by all the dotloop fans.

@Bill F.Current Vacancy on the unit is 5.8%, it was also at 5.8% vacancy a year agoCompetitor vacancy rate at 4.4%Submarket vacancy rate at 7.8%I still assumed a conservative 8% vacancy in my analysis@Charles Kennedy It is a C class complex, so I wouldnt be surprised if it sits at 50% expenses. 

MS Project is pretty standard but pricey or you can download free templates for Excel from their website that are surprisingly professional and helpful.  

Thats with no surprises, etc. 

Called and was surprised by the rate of a cash out refi , even at 75% LTV. 

Welcome @Josephine Giordano ,As a fellow New Yorker, I can say I was surprised to see the transformation Brooklyn has been going through on a recent visit.

I bought a duplex last December and Today I got a surprise mail in my mailbox.