I have chosen the Durham market (primarily for 2 reasons, I am tad bit familiar and also would like to own it as either a secondary home/rental property).The question that I have is, property taxes in Durham county are pretty high, roughly 1.3%, but I have been told by a property manager that the assessed value always comes up lower than the actual fair market price or the sale price (on a new home), and it's more in the tune of 1%.

Through doing this you will want to lower your list size and send most likely look to sending direct mail. 

But like I said, to get an electric bill close to $500 for July when we're already at the lower summer seasonal rental rates makes it really difficult to make any money at all....I guess it's better than being empty. 

So it's a question of should I use my funds as 20% down on an SFR and rent it out as a traditional investment or should I use those same funds as 5% down (or lower) on a fourplex as a primary residence where I take advantage of the financing programs, live in one unit, and rent the others. 

However, I'm finding these properties don't cashflow as well as other properties might in lower property value areas, so I'm considering expanding into other communities. 

I want to make sure paying less does not end up in lower grade service, in case of need.

I am pending on a duplex that already has existing tenants in the lower level, they have been there 3 years, always paid rent, and after meeting them really seemed to be nice people that enjoy living there. 

Mainly that ifyou will be limited to the amount of….Your purchase price + closing costs (costs when you purchased the home) OR....75% of the “After Repair Value”…WHICHEVER IS THE LOWER AMOUNT (super important)

His work bid is consistently lower than the other contractors that bid the work and he includes more in his scope of work. 

The second bath is nice, but on the lower end not common and not needed.