PLUS, I got a ticket at the court house that day as well (my sticker had expired). 

I didn't even know to look at certain things and what areas of the house to really focus on (big ticket items).

It's free to attend but there is a limited number of tickets available due to space.

These are the big ticket items that could ruin your budget.

With all new systems, I can take a lower percentage because my capex for those big ticket items should be nil for quite a while.

If the duplexes are of the age & condition where there will soon be big ticket items, then a separate (10%) CAPEx reserve in addition to your maintenance allowance is a good idea.Also make a similar allowance for management (7-10%) even if you plan to manage yourself.Finally, include a vacancy allowance (8-10%) in your scheduled rent to allow for the inevitable.If the property still performs with theses allowances in addition to the known expenses, then you have a keeper {barring some huge discovery during your building inspection}.

Good point Andrew.If those who don't want to work at investing or making money I'd suggest Lotto tickets. :)

lets go with the big money ticket items like roof inspections to include gutter systems that run into sewers as well as any drainage issues.

You on the other hand will run into water heaters, heater and a/c units, roofs etc. with a ton of big ticket items eating cash flow.3.

Big ticket items wear out on about a 15 to 20-year cycle, so depending on where you are in that cycle you could be dropping some big $$$ in the next couple of years.