Stinks I know, but that is the nature of the beast.Before you bother looking for cash buyers, learn all you can on LO's, which there is a ton here.I put up a post a long time ago about how to set the numbers on a lease option that you may find useful.

If the tenant damages them or breaks it, don't forget you can take the cost out of their security deposit, but since something like a range is subject to 5-year depreciation, it would only be the non-depreciated portion of the cost.Dawn,Three things we have noticed/learned about smooth-top ranges in rentals:1) Unless your tenant has 'desent' quality cookware with flat bottoms {read: bottoms thick enough not to warp}, their pots and pans will rock on the smooth-top range {rocking pots of potatoes spill more onto the cook-top}.

Assuming you make X margin on each property (though I know James does more JV stuff too which is different) that means its volume and by nature each deal can't be a crazy deal so the really crazy deals that a local might wait for is tougher for the out of state guy/girl to get least that is who I view it. 

Is REI  your new business, are you are a rocking chair investor, your needs and or desires will be predicated on your responses and will be drastically different based on the new information. 

There were many other factors that contributed...the RE prices going up was just a natural part of rise and fall.It wa a result of the "perfect storm" of events...not just oneSee Eric G. above

Wear and tear is a damage that comes with the “natural”  and "gradual" aging process. 

@Bill I can tell you are a natural born teacher and I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!

Naturally, this would ebb-and-flow depending on what we were doing - in the early startup days, we would be as low as 3-5% (or 2-months payroll) on occasion. 

Some other reasons properties may not sell so fast.... sink holes, foundation issues, need for all new plumbing, need for all new electrical, ghosts, history of a murder on property, bio-hazards, methamphetamine cooking, occupied by squatters or professional tenants, neighborhood violence, noise (airport, railroad, highway), smell (animal farms, slaughter houses, industrial plants), natural disaster danger (flood, landslide, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, volcano), finicky seller.Have you been to the neighborhood at all times of the day?

The natural inclination of everyone when they get a good paying job is to buy nice things and upgrade your car or tv etc.