I think I am slowly coming to some of the realizations that you highlighted; I am just naturally inclined to look for benchmarks as this is what I have learned in Finance.

Bill Gulley the DOS on any deed of trust I've seen doesn't designate 3 years as a benchmark....the DOS is designated in the deed of trust as "if the property is sold or entered into a lease option agreement.."

Second, this is just a good bench mark for landlords to help make sure tenants are going to have the ability to cover the rent payment.

I guess it'd be tough to figure out how good a company is b/c there aren't benchmarks to compare performance to(is there?).

Curious -is there a benchmark set by the IRS in terms of interest rate on property financing - for example could a seller agree to zero % for higher sale price perhaps . . then the loan is secured with the seller in first position - it's recorded, etc . . is there anything about doing a 0% interest rate on a recorded mortgage that is going to p*&^ off the IRS?

From here on out, I'll be down every 4-6 weeks to check up on things, in addition to the team I have in place, all of whom learned the same lessons.The "Quick Tips" for this post are:BE INVOLVED, and not just by phone.Ensure the quality of your contract; game out the worst case and figure out how to safeguard against it.Identify clear and specific benchmarks to be completed, with each draw conditional upon the completion of the appropriate benchmark.Get pictures, always!

You need a benchmark!

Find a cash flow that works & use it as a benchmark to improve on.

But if you rehab the house to make it the benchmark in the neighborhood with some "sizzle" features, then you stand a good chance of being the top dog when it comes to ARV.

I'm familiar with Market Analysis or rather I've heard of them but what benchmark is used if any to conclude that a community is underpriced and thus a great buy or overpriced and not worth the time to investigate. forgive me if I have overlooked something very fundamental.Thanks to all.