Additional labor costs should be expected for any set up like cement floating or installation of hardi backer (cement board, etc) as well as additional labor costs for intricate layouts or details like metal edging or bull nosing stone. 

And, the dynamic of "Oakland being cheaper" is not new - it's always been cheaper.

I am sure you will so happy to leave that wheather behind however dynamic city to live in.i was visiting  with my friend from Toronto last night and she explaining to how -2 is pretty good wheather!

Now I'm not going to bore everyone with intricate detail numbers on the purchase of the rehab but I will speak of my own experience with one of my projects here in Las Vegas.I will address the numbers in broad brushstrokes hopefully everyone will get the point.OK so let's use a real-life scenario I bought a bank REO for $194,000 The house needed about $35,000 worth of work The projected ARV was 290,000 The cash required to make this deal happen is 20% down for the purchase which would be $41,600 and $46,000 for rehab, insurance, utilities and VIG, which would puts the total at $87,600.

Rents are incredibly dynamic, in fact larger complexes use a dynamic rent program that works similar to buying an airline ticket. 

Other eastern Washington strongholds for value and cash flow can be Tri-Cities and Yakima.On the western side of the state, there are strong dynamics going on in several I-5 corridor communities north of Seattle (such as Bellingham and pockets of Mount Vernon).  

If you're not yet familiar with the various rental markets around SLC, I'd suggest talking with an experienced realtor (a realtor who has experience being a landlord around SLC), or an experienced landlord/investor who understands the rental dynamics... 

Please also remember that we are working in a dynamic market that keeps on changing, so my plans for achieving my initial goals when I started this thread will be a little different as I adjust to what I experience in the real world market.When your business model is based primarily on using private funds, there is a delicate balancing act that you have to perform.

I strongly feel that since there are so many variables in family/health dynamics, many posters forget to incorporate that into their wealth-building model.

Admittedly I am very new to real estate investing and all it's intricate matters but I am extremely avid about learning everything I can via books, videos and sites such as bigger pockets!