Plus, I take into consideration how often the properties turn over and allocate the monthly expenses for each property as though I don't have a tenant.

You can allocate your proceeds in any way you choose toward your purchases.So if you use your 1031 to purchase one for cash and then use maximum leverage on your others you can refinance the debt free property easily immediately after the 1031 is complete. 

I will change my goal and allocate 10% to #5 on your list. :-)

when I think of that question I always ask myself where do I have the most control over the allocated budget I have for "marketing" to get leads.lucky for me, I've got an unfair advantage because of my background lolbut if I had a little bit of coin and a little bit of time, I'd pump $$ into PPC because I know the phone will ring AND I have a little more control over the marketing spend.  

Here we go again.We need to stop classifying broker/agents as REALTORS.Not every broker/agent is a REALTOR.That doesn't mean they are less competent just that they got tired of paying bloated fees to the old NAR.The real estate commissions for each state give a rat's #ss about the NAR.All they care about is license laws and protecting the interests of the public.REALTOR designation is subscribing to their CODE OF ETHICS.Doesn't mean you have no ethics if you are a broker or agent an not a REALTOR.Theoretically you could also argue banks could lose their shirts not having qualified brokers on the ground level handling their assets.What banks pay is cheap in commissions compared to the infrastructure that would be needed to do everything in house.Whether that buyer buys direct with the listing broker or uses a buyers broker the cost is the same BECAUSE the bank allocates for the total commission payout at the time the asset manager assigns the listing to the broker/agent.It will just be xx percent on the HUD to 1 brokerage or split between the buyers broker and the sellers broker.I am talking about the REO side in general and not short sales,etc.

But if you can allocate the funds to get a great coach who will not only educate you but MOTIVATE you over the entire first year of your REI business start-up, I think that's an excellent investment in your new real estate business.

Mark I was just thinking with it being year end some sellers will dump properties really cheap for cash offers to clear their books.I do not want to mess with finance, loans, any of that stuff.I am closing commercial deals for my clients so my time is allocated there doing those kinds of things.I am thinking of it simply because I run across a lot of value add type stuff.

Last month, the city declared a "State of Emergency" where it plans to allocate part of a $100M fund towards housing and housing-related subsidies.OvercrowdingLos Angeles County has seven of the ten zip codes with the worst housing overcrowding in the nation and 64 zip codes that are in the worst half percent for housing overcrowding.Source: http://graphics.latimes.com/crowding-map/Rent ControlWe have an exorbitant amount of rent-controlled housing. 

Hi Christopher,The numbers on the deal will be what ultimately determines the value.I don't think condos are often a good deal as a rental (but can work for flips).HOA fees for scheduled reserves towards replacement of all common area items plus mgmt and ameneties, plus the chance for special assessments if someone messes up with projections are not the best way for someone making money with a rental to allocate funds.You will also deal with hostility from the HOA that probably doesn't like renters.Not all are bad deals, but approach HOAs with a bit of caution and lots of research if you decide to go that way.Best of luck!

To explain, the question I ask myself is will the time allocated toward the job maximize my utility and allow me to reach a level of success that can't be achieved without it.