Quote from @Dan Lucchesi: Quote from @John Underwood: Lower price and advertise in more placed.I even get an occasional booking from a perpetual free Craig's List ad. 

Let's break down a realistic timeline for building your REI business without burning out or risking your day job.  

Does anyone have some creative ideas on how I can break into the market?

With that being said, the interest rate is going to be the single biggest determining factor for whether you're barely breaking even, or seeing a decent monthly cash flow.

Any residential builders looking for their next ground breaking development?

As a licensed contractor, I’ve seen how navigating these details can make or break a project.

Though, my main goal is to be break-even or close to it in cash flow once a property manager steps in to take over. 

Assume break even cash flow while rented which includes a generous $600/mo repair fund. 

You'd ultimately break even just to keep the lights on. 

Our bank will let us use equity that exceeds 25% across multiple properties that are either owned free and clear or where they hold the first so long as the deal still cash flows with however much cash is brought to the table.