What I (often) see missing is how we compare properties on an apples-to-apples basis - i.e., by PRICE PER SQUARE FOOT.You need to know the $/SqFt for all recent sold comps (houses of similar type in close proximity) to help to determine the potential value of a subject property.

Then in my orchard I literally make nothing there per hour because Im trimming and planting apple trees how much does a landscaper cost?

One bad apple but we worked it out.

To me, the value of having a long term tenant far outweighs the little bit of protection you get from the deposit at the risk of upsetting the apple cart.

I'll make sure to communicate with all of our appraisers to make sure we are as close to apples to apples as possible.

Get a couple quotes and compare apples to apples, CoinMach and MacGray for example are the two of the biggest players out there.

It is certainly possible to get cheap homes and even run a business like that on the cheap, but I'd contend to say that apples to apples it would be cheaper to get involved in a mobile home deal.

There are a few bad apples in every bunch but the majority of them are sweet!

However, I think that it's apples and oranges for me because I can either put 25% down on 4 houses using $200,000, or, I can use the $200k to get one flip going.

If your numbers are correct, and it's apples to apples...sounds like negative leverage, where your cost of funds is higher than the cap rate.