The competition in the immediate area should provide good data on what the market rent should be, but suspect as well that one needs to compare apples to apples and include the effects of amenities.

Ok - I just saw this product on the Shark Tank and thought is was absolutely brilliant (as did the sharks, as seen by the feeding frenzy to back the company): WallRXYou can watch a demo hereBasically, it is a product that lets you fill wall holes up to 4 inches in just seconds.

This should work for a day or two, until they figure out what you are doing, then the cones get stolen or moved.A fake fire hydrant on the sidewalk might work too.http://www.youtube.com/watch?

On the other hand, I've got a $1,700.00 television that I can only watch when my wife tells me how to operate it.

If you insist on rejecting the purchase, because of the projected cash flow, I can almost guarantee you someone else will buy it, and though they may lose money, in 10 years they may actually make money with appreciation and by watching their expenses carefully.

I would suggest you read appropriate articles from the learn section as well as watch the podcasts it will assist you in making the right choices.

This area will need a watchful manager, especially during vacancies, but can produce very high returns IF it is managed properly.

For the best info on tax deeds, watch this three minute video from Sandra Edmond, the president of the Central Florida Realty Investor's Assn.http://www.youtube.com/watch?

Having retired, I travel across the USA in our RV and stop in the SA area during the winter months to watch over the properties.I've joined BiggerPockets to network and learn and re-learn RE investing.

Anything special to watch out for on these liens?