@Sherman Ragland, @Ethan Summers thank you very much for the detailed response and for taking the time to share your ideas and practices.

I've been breaking down deals on my own just to practice and have a great understanding of how to underwrite a deal, look for value add opps and ways to raise the rents, all while leaving some value over for the next owner for a quicker sale.  

I could be wrong but thought I saw something about practically zero RE taxes and 0 capital gains for investors... with the bargain prices it seems to me a no brainer to buy and hold.  

Im not one of those guys who wants all money to be split and only having personal bank accounts, but I am a planner and know that there are best practices in business because some things happen outside of your control.Can I get some advise from people out there? 

I own property and I like to sleep with a nice conscience at night, that is why I've always practiced first come first served.

It takes a lot of practice though and touring local houses to get good at it.  

But, yes, billing back tenants for unseparated meters is a normal practice and you are within your rights to either ask for a percentage repaid, or else tack on an increased rent (like a budget plan) specifically for utilities. 

I'm interested in Buy & Hold and BRRRR particularly for duplexes or multiplexes and was just checking around on Realtor and Zillow for starters to practice deal analyzing... seems like, at least for duplexes, there might be some pretty decent deals to be had.

I practiced keeping my money by keeping my standard of living below my means.

I haven't ever had anyone say, oh because you are a Realtor, I don't want your money.I got my license because I felt a need to practice what I was being preached and to me I was always a "wanna-be" until I pulled the trigger.