Robert,If the objective of your purchase is cash-flow, then appreciation matters little - don't get me wrong, it's still nice, but the success of the investment does not rely upon it.Matching your product - in your case, single-story (ranch style) duplexes - to your clientele ({nearly} retired, aging tenants who do not wish to contend with stairs as they grow old or those with mobility issues), whether done explicitly or intuitively, is the key to low turnover.We are considering a multi-family unit which is comprised of 25-row houses in a single story garden home format as it has an appeal to our aging population.

I didn't mind the city cleaning the sewer at our property until after they caused damage to our vegetable garden and spread contaminated sewer particles on our deck and vegetable pots.

My next door neighbor was robbed about a month ago, most likely while I was home, and I am dumbfounded how someone has the nerves to walk out of a house with a mattress (in your case) or a big screen tv and down a long set of steps, and a number of other big ticket items (in the case of my neighbor).Like Joshua mentioned, lights on timers are a good idea, but I imagine that these are not your garden variety criminals that are used to stealing packs of bubblegum from Walmart.

I had moss on my pine trees YEAR ROUND!!

Borrowers tapped mortgages for as much as 90 percent of a property’s value to buy homes on the manmade fronds of the Palm Jumeirah and villas with gardens or golf-course views in developments such as Emirates Hills, The Springs and The Lakes.

I have a gardener that mows, edges and trims the trees at my properties, and just recently one of my tenants was complaining about weeds growing in the flower beds and a vine that was becoming unruly.I now make it a point that the tenant understands, in writing of course, what the gardener is paid to do and what the tenant is required to do.One another note, I have addendums regarding, "smoke detector & fire extinquishers", "Info regarding Renters Insurance".

This includes gardening, exterior painting, plumbing and electrical repairs, pest control and any other expenses or regular maintenance that affect the entire property.

There's a new residence in Olbia, the resort is located in a place of significant environmental value bordering the 2 above mentioned protected marine areas of Tavolara and Molara, and La Maddalena, and is walking distance to a white sand beach.Ground floor units are equipped with both a garden and a sea front entrance.

I thought I'd be opening a pandora's box.I must say, though, a recent news story on NBC about a garden at the white house, and the boom on growing your own;http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#29803183and noting that there hasn't been a garden at the white house since the "victory garden" of WWII, does make one stop and wonder.Ralph

We want to manage it ourselves and pay a gardener and a handyman to take care of everything on that end.We understand that there may be instances when the handyman isn't available and we'll need to head to the property - not a problem since my work schedule is very flexible.Is there a reason that I should not manage it myself from that distance?