But how many investors here routinely and comfortably experience triple or quadruple digit returns on 5-figure or higher investments of their capital?  

One for rent collection, one one for maintenance, and you can set up more for other reasons.

thanks James,you just reminded me that concessions from cable is another area.coin operated machines.. that's something I imagine you would contract out rather than deal with the management/maintenance hassles.

Even the parking lot maintenance is done by the building owner(he has a business in one of the units).I know some banks and investors don't like to work with separate owners of the land and building but in this situation, the building has already been on the ground for decades producing income.Are there any downsides to just owning the dirt???

Also your actual costs of average maintenance and the loan service payments.  

I remember a thread or blog post or something on here where someone was listing all the things they do in their rentals as preventative maintenance but I can't findit now!

For me, it's about being reachable if there is a maintenance issue for instance. 

We were routinely renting it out for about $1,250 per month.  

I use 10% each for vacancies, repair/capex, and maintenance.  

I don't know much about them.The home is in relatively good shape but there is some definite deferred maintenance needed like a kitchen/bathroom remodel, removing the wall paper from 1978, floors/carpets, swimming pool refurbishing, etc.