My variable costs vary depending on how hard I work this business.

I would do it when you have a couple of properties, but not when you're just starting out but, of course, the costs/benefits do vary by state.

Zillow is all over the board, varying by several thousand over the years on the same property; I just picked the highest one as a starting point.  

As far as a price range, it really does vary.

I am a recent college graduate with a degree in mechanical engineering who has just moved to the Ann Arbor, Michigan area from Toledo, Ohio.  

You can meet fellow real estate investors with varying degrees of experience who will be happy to assist you.  

However, many tend to use the following:Vacancy: 4-8%, Repairs/Maint:5-10%, CapEx:6-12%, Prop.Mgmt:8-11%Again, these are just ballpark percentages and may vary depending on each analysis.When it comes to future assumptions, these numbers are not necessarily needed on the acquisition side of the analysis, however it helps in the event you want to sell sometime in the future.

Eventhough I got a business degree that was real estate emphasized by real estate.  

Don't go  with Zillow estimates they vary in accuracy for these kinds of properties. look for something close in features that sold.    

If they want more, they'll ask for it, and you can always go higher.However, the main difference between private investors and Had Money is private investors are investing in you first and the deal second. 180 degrees opposit of what Hard Money does.