If you are buying for future appreciation, you cannot use the same matrix as you might use if you are buying for cash flow right now, and its usually the function of neighborhood that you choose.Just because you can cash out for "x" amount from a given property, doesn't mean you have to.

Over  a hold period as the asset gets older the operating costs usually start going up more.A seller owning a brand new built asset years 1 to 10 and claiming XX costs might be true but you owning for the next years 11 to 20 etc. the cost profile of the property will be way different as many items will reach the end of their life expectancy and need replacement or multiple repairs to keep functioning optimally.Even on larger multifamily 50% is common for total expenses and if landlord pays utility it can even be more like 60% operating costs.

I would love to connect with local realtors/property managers that could function as my boots on the ground.

The function of a good real estate agent is to ensure you get the best price for your property and to perform the associated paperwork.

Ultimately, just be a good tenant and keep the place clean, safe, and functional, as in the case of any good quality rental.  

One of the lenders I talked to said the property has to be in a good condition for them to lend including proper functioning of all major equipment, no holes in carpet, no broken windows etc.

Is this a house that already has functioning gutters, or no gutters at all?

DSTs are offered and managed by firms who perform a myriad of functions on the investors’ behalf.In the syndicated real estate market today, Sponsors almost exclusively use Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) as their legal structure.

Good Luck - Sam "Comb through," means using sorting and filter functions is MS Excel.

Originally posted by @Juan Casanova:@Jason Hirko; therefore we have had a hard time getting him approved for any type of loans, and the ones we do get are asking for ridiculous interests rates.Interest rates are a function of (among other things) the borrower's ability to maintain and repay the loan.