. $300-$1000kUtilitites: look at your own utility billThere isn't a magic formula that tells any of us exactly what these items will cost.

I don't have grand delusions about starting with nothing and retiring in 3 years because I struck some magical deal.

That's it, that's the magic formal.

If you are factoring properties into your comps that weren't sold for FMV then you comps will be skewed in a way that isn't giving that area a fair picture of what you or your rehabber can sell a house for IF it is properly marketed and advertised.Now when you're dealing with rental property comps are one component but many times other factors are more important to a rental property investor (i.e. possible cash flow & ROI, gross rent multipliers, or other "magic" numbers).

You're supposed to have 25% equity in the property, and equity that comes from borrowed money is not really "equity" in the spirit intended.So, your lender is suggesting that you have this money in your account for at least 60 days so that it will not be obvious that the money just "magically" appeared when you applied for the loan.

Getting an atty involved often has an almost magical effect!

I'm fortunate enough to have my wife working with me, and, once your partner's "crossed-over" to your point of view, it can be pure magic :)

Give us the week off and we'll see what magic we can whip up next week.

If they show up with a lawyer they can drag it out another month sometimes more but its rare since if they cant pay rent where is the money going to magically appear to pay the lawyer?

It is not magic, it is simple economics.