Of course I realize there would have been the occasional repair and vacancy but I would not have budgeted for it via a 50% factor.As far as the advice on the refi goes, the numbers I quoted are based on a refi that I am going through right now and I will be closing very soon.Thanks again for giving me a place to work through these thoughts.

Fortunately I only have to do it occasionally, and only for one or two tenants when it happens.

The B gives easy, stable, and regular income, the C's give variable income but have the occasional tenant drama. 

I assume you are also going to want to have a property manager to drop in occasionally to oversee the cleaning team, landscaper, and handyman - and to make sure the guests get the keys and to replace missing or lost keys.Regarding Linden Hills, its a great area for guests who have cars and it's a short Uber ride away from the night life in Uptown or Downtown, but I would have thought it would be better to be on a bus or light rail route that has more direct linkage to downtown, or to find something closer to Uptown.   

Here in the NE you rarely find "BYO" in apartments, occasionally in SFH.

He & I both use the storage shed on my property & he mows the grass (usually - I do it occasionally).

We could use some reliable help fixing items that occasionally come up at our residential rental property.

It also just may be a standard practice of your insurer whenever a property is purchased as an REO or at auction ... or if the house is over a certain age (here that age is usually pre 1950s and occasionally pre-1960s)

Then using that money for 2 residences.I have a decent job and would not be difficult to cover a second residence on my own, so I have considered doing this. 30 year loan would be ok.I have also been looking at older unloved homes in the 25-50000 range and getting an in house loan at the bank, problem with that is for the 5 years financed no real posative cash flow but after that they would be mine and could recoup funds.I may even hang my shingle out and see if i can find a no money down or two.Although I want to buy and hold I am not against an occasional flip for the right motivation.I would hope to have found my first property w/in the next 90 days, we will see.I would love to hear any and all opinions.Would love to hear from those of ya in idaho and texas esp and if in the central texas area maybe meet up and chat a bit.Thank you

We're very active and are constantly marketing for off market, below market value properties, generally SFR, occasionally 2-4 units.