@Rich S. ... Now

I feel as though we miscalculated something.One unit yields $400 in rent (1 bedroom) and the other yields $800 (3 bedroom).Total Rent: $1,200Duplex Price: $67,000Down Payment: $3,350Repair Estimate: $2,000Closing Cost Estimate: $1,500Total Investment = $6,850We factored in:Mortgage: $340Mortgage insurance (we would have a low down payment): $40Home owners insurance: $67Property tax: $113Vacancy savings: $60CapEx: $60Repairs: $60Lawn/Snow: $120There are no HOA dues.Total costs: $860So, our monthly cash flow should be $340.Annual cash flow $4,080Total Investment $6,850ROI: 59.5%I feel like this return is far too high.Is there something obvious we're missing?

She called me because the picture window in her living room spontaneously exploded and the owner (also the failed flipper) blamed her, well come to find out this genius cut a big hole in a load bearing exterior wall for this window but had neglected to put a header in so when a big heavy snow came, the pressure was too much for the window and it followed the path of least resistance. this happened 2 consecutive winters. a home inspector would not have caught that because it is hidden behind sheetrock but if the work had been permitted, it never would fly. my point is that an inspector can only inspect what they can see and that many flippers either have no clue what they are doing, are trying to cut corners, or don't care. there ARE some good and responsible flippers but when I know a house has been flipped, I am always suspicious.

How about Lawn care/Snow removal?  

Hello Sean, It can be very difficult to monitor lawn care and snow removal at a duplex when the tenants are responsible for it, typically landlords provide it + water and the rental rate can reflect that.

I have my own wifi connection and to make a long story short, one of my tenants agreed to shovel snow this past winter for the password.

Owner pays for water and sewer, plus lawn/snow care. 

You, as the owner, have to pay for grass cutting, snow removal (if you have any), many times there is only one water meter and you need to pay for the overages.

I lived and worked up there for (5) years through college in the Amherst and Elmwood areas and really loved the city but couldn't take the snow haha!

I even looked up a couple days ago when the average time is for the first snow fall which they said is usually early november.That kind of gave me a goal in my mind of going out Mid September.