A furnance cost roughly $1,000 installed no matter if the rent is $900 or $595.

.* Regular inspections to check for leaks, ceiling damage, make sure window AC units are properly mounted, etc.* Other preventative maint, such as cleaning gutters

Okay so I move a new tenant into a unit.They call the next day and say the tubs are not draining well.We go and inspect and the tubs are slow draining.We put drain-o and others down the line and it does nothing.Then we call our plumber and he snakes the line.The problem is someone put in a T line from the 2 tubs instead of a Y line so the line is clear from tub to tub but the snake cannot turn a corner to go further into the pipe.So the plumber suggest we use CLOBBER from a specialty store which is straight concentrated sulfuric acid.This does not clear the line.Plumber comes out and then installs a Y line fixing the T-line.Puts a camera down the line from the kitchen which is downstairs and the bath plumbing is in the ceiling.He sees a drink cap and what looks like a bottle but can't tell.We are thinking from a roof put on years ago a roofer dropped a drink down the plumbing vent and it is stuck.So the plumber opens up the wall above the kitchen sink and VOILA the problem is found!

I found a triplex offered for sale, and have some info, and I am sure I need more info to properly evaluate this investment.

If you screen sellers properly you can find those that are motivated enough to do this.

That is why you want to buy below Market Value.Market Value is the price an asset will trade (sell) in an open competitive environment.Defined as follows: Market value is the estimated amount for which a property should exchange on the date of valuation between an educated buyer and a reasonably motivated seller in an arms-length transaction after proper marketing wherein the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently, and without undue influence.The delineation of "After Repair" or "As Is" technically exists only as jargon amongst REI groups and conversations.

I make hundreds of thousands in actual income off interest, rents, installment sales etc and show a "taxable" income of 10 K and pay nearly nothing in taxes.

Hopefully I can spread out into a proper office in the near future ;-)@Jon - The county is in the highest concentration of Marcellus Shale in PA.

I have not used a bump key myself (they are illegal in some states without the proper locksmithing permits/licenses).

That is the proper way to do it, but I don't go that far.