Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization.....Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce.

You build the business into an automated passive-income-generation mechanism that can grow, evolve, and continue to provide returns long into the future.The investment is the BUSINESS, and the real estate is the underlying commodity being utilized to generate income.

I've heard people say that about Wii Sports.

In other words, how many units are CURRENTLY vacant, not an average or estimated 5%. 5% would mean that less than 1 unit would have a vacancy each year which is practically impossible.Who pays the utilities?

That can be a disaster: utility prices are volatile and tenants waste utilities when they don't pay for them.

1) Price: $249,000 (duplex in class b, c area/San Diego, CA) Shortsale and appraisal came in at list price, orig. owner purchased for $475k in 2005 Owner pays utilities, tenants pay elec., gas 2 units rent for $1200 a month.

I currently utilize a self-directed IRA.

If that's good; they have no evictions; no criminal history; and only one hit over a utility bill, then I would certainly rent to them.

Bought a 4/2 1700 sq/ft 2 story in my backyard in late December for $60K, spent $35K total on rehab, holding, closing, utilities, everything.

.- What about lawn care, accounting costs, legal costs, termite inspections/treatments, advertising, utilities during vacancy periods, etc?