I know you feel you are on top of it, and it sounds like a class A or B.

But it can really help offset costs and pretty good return on investment at that value. 200k in philly puts you in Class C real estate at best, and you likely have to update it somehow. 

One thing to understand about real estate as an asset class is that it is a depleting asset, meaning there is only so much of it (think oil).

If they Wanted to stay inside a duplex within class A+ neighborhood?

A better question may be is the program worth 10,000 pesos.When the DOS is called you can't reconvey to the seller and restructure the deal as a lease option... at that point the goose is already cooked.

My point being, having a reliable team here is a must.Dialing in on what class neighborhood and what kind of property you want is as key as your metrics, especially given that much of our housing stock is ~125 years old --- at least in the city.

Letters, post cards even calls are useless to this owner class. 

But if I'm going somewhere with my wife for any length of time, I like the space afforded us by a vacation rental, the kitchen for cooking, a living room for spreading out.

It's a Class A location in Sacramento.

I learned that with an A-Class tenant expectations are higher and had to step up my level of service.