But the answer for everyone may differ.Here are the personal attributes I see in those able to achieve a higher than market ROI, enough higher to be able to “scale”.1- Knowledge of real estate principles, real estate law and real estate finance2- Minimum 3 -5 years full time, or near full time experience directly related to real estate investing3- Ability to utilize technology for increased efficiency, capacity, and accuracy4- Excellent hired legal counsel and excellent hired marketing help5- Established method(s) of obtaining consistently high QUALITY deal flow6- Ability to manage and choose people who are NOT employees: Attorneys, Appraisers, Mortgage Brokers, Real Estate Brokers, Title Companies, Surveyors, Marketing Specialists, Accountants, Contractors, Consultants, Property Managers7- A VERIFIABLE track record of success8- Ability to identify, analyze, and negotiate a deal that can be “worked” for “enhanced” ROI9- Some type of competitive advantage; for example for me it’s my ability to analyze and identify mortgage loans that are actually less risky than all other lenders believe (on the investing in debt side), and on the real property side it’s my ability to analyze”pull the trigger” with LESS information than other investors need,  combined with the ability to pay cash, or raise significant capital almost instantly as well as being able to obtain loans at the lowest prime customer bank rate with no recourse or personal liability.  

You can also start exploring a house hack to utilize the lower DP

Another avenue would be to call your utility companies and ask about installing additional meters.

Originally posted by @Kelly Watkins:Residential developers in Wichita pass the cost of the neighborhood utilities (sewers, streets etc..) onto the buyer.

Not to be a downer, but I'm not clear how I would utilize this metric to manage my properties. 

Then there are the challenges with Section 8 tenants paying utilities and taking care of their rental property.

@Shelby Ek Do you need to activate the utilities in order to qualify for the loan you are getting?

I am NET cash flowing just over 1k (includes maintenance, repairs, cap-ex, vacancies, utilities), which is pretty good considering this is in SoCal.

Need to watch out for utilities like water meter, electrical, gas, and sewer.

I work with a company that you should utilize to analyze the different properties you are looking at right now.