My preference is to get an average for the utilities, add a 10% buffer for tenants that use excess, and then split it by the number of units.Will the single person complain about being billed the same as a family of four?

Give yourself at least enough buffer to avoid worries about bouncing checks 1.

On the bright side, a lower LTV will decrease the risk of the project for you so it's a good buffer to have on your first deal

Since you don't have a mortgage, you will have more of a buffer there against vacancy and higher dollar repairs like a new roof.

For those that didn't or couldn't make it, and for those that did to add theirs in the comments:Beyond all of the relationships built, bolstered, and buffered, these are some of my highlight reels from this year's event in Cancun (in no particular order).1.

Those resident managers are your buffer between tenants/issues and yourself. 

Waiting for up to $30k offers more options and a financial buffer.

For STR, what type of buffer if any do you use when conducting deal analysis with regards to occupancy?

I balance my portfolio so that I always have a slight buffer of PAL.

I add 20-30% to any rehab budget for contingencies / as a buffer, and Im local to my projects.