Also, I've been blindsided by special assessments, $10,000 at one time for a roof replacement.

I plan on bumping them, definitely not lowering them.Mine by default are automatically high so that I don't get blind sided with a low price for a 3 day weekend or special event.Once I review them I lower them to MY normal high levels.

I just feel blindsided by the amount of the fees as I knew there were going to be fees, but didn't do my due diligence to confirm the amounts, prior. 

@Dustin Allen if going the fsbo route, is it recommended to work with a title company or attorney to ensure nothing blindsides you?

I am not at the mercy of HOA's where you're blindsided with special assessments.My dad owned a small mixed use property, built in 1890, but through the years, utilities are updated to standard, and one such property is enough to see him through retirement.

Seems pretty reasonable to me as a host who pays my cleaning crew all of the cleaning fee and much appreciated as a customer who has been blindsided by excessively high cleaning fees.

Where I'm located your best bet is to get someplace that needs some work so you can force appreciation while having a small mortgage obligation because your renters are covering the majority for you.I think you should be careful with your numbers in these situations so you know what to expect for income/expenses going in and aren't blindsided.

@Matt Eperesi Watch the property taxes in Bellevue, they can really blind side you after closing if you buy way above the current assessed value and they re assess.

The real dangers in real estate often come not from what see in our backyard, but from being blindsided by what we do not know across town. 

Very encouraging words it just blindsided me people would be so negative on positive for the community.