Mark, your methods were undoubtedly learned at significant cost in time, effort and money, -still many here would benefit from your sharing them. 

Mark Forest What would happen if you had a disaster like the one with the sewer every year at one of your properties?  

Regarding the 50% rented, I think we are close to pass this mark but these two units were already rented, so it wouldn't make a difference. 

@Tim Stahl I know @Mark Ferguson does this.

Mark,You have a asked a very important question -- actually two questions: What, really, are operating expenses, and how to you find them out?

Can't do much outside, lovely michigan winters :) I plan on selling that home somewhere within the 2year mark and making a profit but meanwhile this summer going to try my hardest to buy a duplex off a guy I know from work on a land contract, then selling the home I live in now for a profit to buy another maybe two.

Mark

@Mark Smiley, I actually do equity partnershpis with friends..

Hi Mark...As someone who manages a large team of agents, I can tell you that nothing annoys agents more than people who completely waste their time (especially if it's knowingly). 

Hello everyone.My name is Mark Colburn and i'm a new member to BP.I bought my first property in Nov of 2011 and it was a multifamily side-by-side duplex.It was a bank owned property that we did an extensive renovation to including two new kitchens, two new bathrooms, new flooring, new paint, new water heaters, new vented bathrooms, tons of repairs to walls (was prior section 8) etc.All in all I spent about one year and $35K on the renovation.