Too bad you can't buy something owner-occupied, put 5% down with the best interest rate, live in it for 12 months (and fix it up), rent it out and repeat the cycle.Here's some other info you might find useful:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

The tenant understands that the property of the Tenant is not insured by the landlord for damage or loss of any kind (action of third party, fire, water, theft, vandalism, storm, heat or cold, electrical damage, pests, mold, accident, etc.), and the Landlord assumes no liability for such loss.

After a couple of years, the carpet on the stairs was damaged and had to be replaced.

To provide our buyers the greatest probability for success, we cast a wide net to evaluate ALL vacation rental prospects and narrow it down to the handful that meet the search criteria. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Tenant moves out and ya hit em with say $2k assessed damages at move out. 

As always, this can be mitigated with proper screening of applicants by verifying rental history and contacting prior landlords about the prospective tenant's past.

Quote from @Michael Smythe: @Jerry NoguerasRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Either way, model prospective deals to maximum stress test and to see if it cashflows after you move out and fully occupied. 

If needed add a minimum of 15kModerate RehabCan save at least two of the following- Electric, Drywall, Flooring, Plumbing (likely touch ups in the other two)Redo KitchenRedo Existing BathroomsNo framing or architect plans neededPaintFinish BasementAdd a split unit to existing duct work (prevent from tearing up existing plaster/drywall)*Think of a grandma home that does not have knob and tube and has been on top of roof/windows so we aren’t as worried about mold/water damage*Light RehabComps do not need a finished basement or basement is finished to comp standardComps do not need HVAC or you can just add split unit to existing ductworkKitchenBathroomFloorsPaintNo major rehaul of mechanics needed (aka do not need to rip out walls)LipstickPaint, Floors, appliances in the most basic sense ARV Range Full Gut Moderate Light Lipstick +450 (A+) 150-300 N/A N/A N/A 380-450 (A) 90-120 70-75 N/A N/A 270-400 (B/B+) 85-100 60-70 N/A N/A 210-270 (B-) 75-80 60-65 45-55 N/A 170-210(C/C+) 65-75 50-60 40-50 15-30 140-170(C-) 60-70 50-60 35-45 10-20 120-140 (D) 55-65 40-50 25-35 5-15 Philly Neighborhoods Breakdown:A+ : Obvious Prime Real Estate.