So, 3 bookings a month would be an extra $450 to $510 in your expense lineMy advice would be to get actual numbers for whatever property you are looking at and then run the numbers again.

Keep an extra box of tiles in case one cracks or is chipped.

Thanks for putting extra eyes on this!

(hint, it's all about future values, both rent wise and appreciation wise.)That's why the market is so competitive in LA for 2-4's...The future value of a property or rent will not rescue you from a foreclosure if the present rental income is insufficient to cover the present mortgage and expenses and you do not have sufficient extra funds to cater to the deficiency. 

And even though they have the same square footage, missing that extra bedroom is a big deal.

I'll take $100,000 in appreciation 10 years from now that I will be able to 1031 my way out of paying taxes on (or just cash-out refi) over cashflowing an extra $200/month with little-to-no appreciation on a 2%-rule property in Cleveland.  

Three 3 bed units, three 2 bed units and 2 units with either extra large bedroom or a spare room.

I agree the extra $ is worth it to work with closing folks you know!

Was wondering if this is the best route to go or would it be better to use extra money to give me and my wife's ira and 401k a big boost.

they raised ours to $85.00 /Yr to pay for extra police presence.