We are local contractors in the area looking to get our feet wet in the real estate investing waters.

.- Good luck getting them to pay their portion for the duration of their lease- Be careful including utilities in the rent as they then won't care about a running toilet resulting in a $500 water bill.- S8 tenants don['t want to pay application fees- S8 tenants cry broke about paying security deposits- S8 tenants in the program for 10+ years claim ignoreance on filling out their paperwork because they've learned a desperate landlord will do it for them.If you want a S8 tenant, you MUST advertise on www.AffordableHousing.com

John Yes, that is precisely why I think it is overrated with respect to cashflow, it is very difficult to find a property that will leave you above water after doing the numbers.

I am above 50% on standard Visa/MC, below 50% on Amex, and about 0% with anything that is like a local credit unions. 

I know what the rents should be for each of the units (2 vacant and 1 significantly under market), the taxes are listed on the MLS, I’m familiar with the water/sewer costs in close proximity to this building, and I know what percentage to use for my Vacancy, CapEx, and repairs and maintenance based on my knowledge of the local market.

This area of banking could do with some standards. 

Water, trash, internet, and fire wood make up the rest of the utility allocation.  

The requirement is that the house meet habitability standards, and building code standards say a house must be pest free to be habitable.

****I am not a financial advisor or guru, I was just a dumb civil engineer who learned that you cannot push on a rope and dirt and water  = mud.

You should be able to balance paying down your home quicker than the standard 30 years while still investing in real estate, so instead of 1-2 a year, maybe 1 every 2 years?