Quote from @Jeffrey Bourque: Hello All, I am new and this is my first attempt at purchasing a property with the intent to create monthly cash flow.The property: Triplex Listed at $140,000 - Total monthly rent income $2,150 - Tenants want to stay and are all willing to sign new leases for 3 years - 8 beds 5 baths and 3,500sqft livable space on a 4,800sqft lot - Heat and electric paid by tenants and water trash paid by owner $180 month - I have managed to talk the selling price down to $105,000 with a kick of $10,000 for closing and commissions so $115,000 all in - Building is in fairly good shape according to pictures and questions but have not done a inspection yet - some general maintenance repairs are needed according to the seller but nothing that seems to bother the tenants. - Taxes are on the higher side at $6,000 yearMy Numbers: $115,000 putting 20% of my money $23,000 and finance the rest with total expense of $1,834Monthly expense numbers: Future Maintenance 13% $273 - Vacancy 5% $105 - Property Insurance 5% $105 - Property Taxes 23% $500 - Property management 10% $215 - Office/Travel/Legal 4% $84 - Mortgage 26% $552 - Monthly Cash Flow - $316 per month or $3,792 per year so Cash on Cash = 17%I think this looks like it is a deal worth doing and I also believe I can bump the total rent up by $50 each tenant which I think make it even better.

It will familiarize you with the basic terminology and benefits.

Seems to me my “permanent note portfolio is basically a passive investment, while my variable note portfolio is somewhere between business and investment.  

I've separated out electricity but not water (never heard of sewer being separated) and I've always had separate gas meters on my properties but have separated the heating system on one.

It may be helpful:I can give you some general info on insuring the property:Here are some things to look for from an Insurance prospective:1.Any in-ground tanks (active or inactive)2.Any Knob & Tube or Aluminum Wiring3.If built before 1978, does the building have Lead Safe certifications4.Any wood stoves or secondary heating units.

There are dozens of great paperback books for $19.99 or thereabouts that contain the basic information you will need. 

In solar sales (door to door) the setters typically make about this same range.Most companies in the house flipping world seem to buy lists online or run basic skip traces of areas and send lists to VAs to setup calls with the owner of the company.   

As a loan officer, I've seen a few people go through the same scenario of basically breaking even. 

I assume the business credit lines are basically 0% intro promo credit cards?

Why then do they pay $35,000 to obtain what’s basically a sales position?