How much will it cost to do the job compared to how much higher rent you will get?

Well here are few that I can think of:- You are an Accountant - who views the reports once a year to do taxes (That is it)- You are a Bookkeeper - you want to do the data entry because it does not make you money- You are a DIY QuickBooks user - who will surf the internet and YouTube for answers and not have the full process, procedure, and solution- You are a CFO - review your financials every day or week, depending on your business goalsNow let's get into the nitty-gritty:- You as a business owner should look at your reports by each property and unit- You should compare your Profit and Loss by:----- Month----- Quarter----- Year----- Previous Year Comparison----- By % of your Income ----- and the list goes onNow about your Equity - view your Balance Sheet and see the difference from previous year how much money you paid and received by improvements and loan, the personal money you invested and more...If you are looking at keeping the books for tax purposes and IRS, as well as use paper and pencil.

@Cameron Belknap FHA loan rules in HUD 4000.1 mention not counting the basement as part of the Gross Living Area; however, part of the FHA requirements found in HUD 4000.1 includes a section on “converted spaces” which states:“The Appraiser must treat room additions and garage conversions as part of the GLA of the dwelling, provided that the addition or conversion space…is accessible from the interior of the main dwelling in a functional manner; has a permanent and sufficient heat source… and was built in keeping with the design, appeal, and quality of construction of the main dwelling.”Furthermore,“The Appraiser must analyze and report differences in functional utility when selecting comparable properties of similar total GLA that do not include converted living space.

I was terrified....i wish i had bought more..light fixes, and holds, turn over to prop mngmnt, with right funding in place beforehand is pretty easy..even less emotional than being to much into it involved present...i just suggest don't buy substantial fix, rehab and flip from out of state...and not knowing area or connections...but hold is pretty easy, not so hard, with right agent boots on ground...

Compare that to what you have (Apples to Apples). 

Our current goal/focus, however, is getting our first project with our own capital off the ground.

If it goes through via non-recourse, then downside is less compared to recourse loans.

He purchased a home for a bit over $500k, and realized his mortgage is about $3100 compared to the rental market which was inbtween $2100-2700.

While higher command has no legal grounds on their soldier not paying rent they can certainly “rattle the cage” and get things progressing.I can tell you from my own past active duty experience, if my LT was chewing me out for anything i got my s**t together in a hurry. 

As well, you should not compare SFR or Residential MFR with commercial MFR.