My current flow is 1) find a house that matches the configuration (X beds, Y bath)  in a certain neighborhood (Redfin or my agent)2) pull up rent data in rentometer / Zillow 3) run through my spreadsheet with expenses, taxes, insurances and etc I would love these to be automated.

@John MarkWe’ve found the best way to raise rent is:Determine market rentShare the proof with the tenantTell the tenant, given your rent is $x and market rent is $y, what do you think if a fair increase?

On top of the NNN/CAM allocation you also want to factor in annual rent escalators and vacancy assumptions.

Over the last 2-3 years we downsized that S-Corp significant;y & the % of NET for W-2 dropped also & gain no issue.

Quote from @Sipan Y.: Quote from @Ben Aaron: Here in the SF Bay Area, I pay around $3000 for an architect who just for the plans and files the permits.I have an interior designer shes very experienced and helps me with exterior/interior and landscaping she charges around $5000 including also her ordering and making sure all materials arrive at the site.Might not sound cheap but after I got those 2 I was able to scale up my flipping business and the ROI make sense. 

What is the general calculation/guidelines on should I do X upgrade to get Y rent (taking into account an increase in property taxes)?

@Brian Cam When a person has a property within a trust this just gives them a type of protection from a legality standpoint; however, this is not the best protection in my eyes (this is just my thoughts, and information that I read). 

@Jim Y.

I started doing some home flipping from 2001 - 2009, then got into buy and hold.I am at a cross roads, so I recently sold some properties, in an effort to have a portfolio of quality over quantity.Not exactly sure what my next move will be, the big challenge for me has been learning about tenant issues, and dealing with some unexpected repairs, both my wife and I took a course and are IPOANS CAM Certified (Certified Property managers).We only manage our own properties, plus have a couple of hired property managers to help with some out of town units, however, I have been studying tenancy rules, laws, and have become addicted to answering property management questions.What attracted me to join this site, is all the different types of real estate investment people are involved in.I look forward to participating in the forum.Michael P Currie

You need to work to pass through those utilities and CAM and it will perform well for you.