I understand looking for positive cash flow is a good proxy to avoid making bad deals when you’re a beginner, but if you’re careful in your estimates and run the numbers properly, I would believe you can still enjoy a decent return on your property even if your initial cash flow is inexistent.Let’s take the example of a zero-CF property (i.e. it’s zero after opex, capex, vacancy, PITI, property management etc..) in the following situation: I put down 20% as down payment for a 30 years loan, at 4.5%The property doesn’t appreciate over the years and I sell the property after 30 years for the same priceI incur 5% closing costs at purchase, and 5% selling cost when exitingI assume no inflation (hence selling price = acquisition price)In this context, my IRR would be 4.55%.

Look forward to following your future investments!

Dan, There are no guidelines that I am following.

Following

I also plan to categorize out the following as best I can: materialscontract laborholding costs (mortgage, utilities, hoa, etc)investor costs (travel)money costsclosing costs (purchase)closing costs (sale

Following!

You can also search the forums for any topic you want, and just by following the discussions I've learned a ton.

Once you complete your first purchase, follow the BRRR method. best!

You don't want to waste your time following up bad leads, and realtors don't want to waste time writing offers that will never land.Hope that helps a bit.

Don’t follow people online until you get some footing.