What’s a good rule of thumb to follow when starting a business or owning multiple properties for how much you should set cash aside to go towards the mortgage, expenses, emergencies and paying yourself?

My wife and I are looking to start flipping houses in our local area.

But that will also give you the cushion to be comfortable until cash flow starts again. 

I've primarily worked with investors in this industry in off market acquisitions, now I'm ready to start the journey of becoming one myself:) Cheers to evolving as an investor.

And I make sure to already have established email communication with each tenant at/before the start of the lease, and use that same email address (of the two provided in the lease) with the tenant during our relationship.Real life example: I had one leave “in the dark of night” after my local agent posted an eviction notice on the door.

The upside is if they know what you're looking for, you're getting a call before it hits the market.Direct to seller works with 50 units and under, and once you get to the larger assets, it starts to drop off.I'm curious to hear what others have to say.

I’ve since left the profession; my wife is still fighting strong. 

If you can find a deal that cash flows decently now, I do think we'll start to see 3%+ per year organic rent growth again sometime in the next 2-4 years, since new construction starts have been very low the past 2 years so new supply coming online is going to drop a lot in the coming years. 

Then the next year, they will jack that up and I will be right back where I started. 

I am not a fan of novice investors starting out with out-of-state investments.