I am 74 female, been managing a duplex for yrs without too much difficulty but tired of it - have vacancy coming and several repairs required. 

Add maintenance/cap ex, vacancy, PM, misc and this is likely negative more than $500/month even if self managed (much more than the negative $200 that you indicate you are ok with) 2) if you are behind on mortgage, how are you going to handle being negative $200/month, or more like negative $500/month?

@Jennifer Moscatello we have an addendum that says it was x amount full at occupancy and the difference will be reimbursed either way at vacancy plus a restart fee if they let it go empty.

Ensure you have an emergency fund for vacancies or repairs and verify market trends to confirm the investment supports your long-term financial plan.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

We are currently experiencing another downward push on rental prices (we are continuing to reduce rents), an increase in vacancies, and an increase in time to fill units.

Add in property manager, repairs/maintenance, CapEx, vacancy etc and you will be deep in the red.

When there is a vacancy, a leaking sink, a drip from the roof, a fallen branch from a tree, storm damage, a rough tenant, a potato down the toilet...whatever expense comes up in the future, and they always come up, that is what the cash flow is for. 

Hi all,I've met and spoken with a few great prof's in the Columbus area, and since then, have made 2 offers on home (both didn't work out).I'm going out to visit in December to meet with and talk to a few people; including sellers directly.My question is for those of you who have experience and a few properties + in the mid-term / corporate rental realm.How have your vacancy rates changed over the last year to 2 years? 

There is a sweet spot in filling vacancies and protecting your investment! 

The big deals will be vacancy, capex and appliances. (3 water heaters, stoves, fridges, microwaves?