There is percentage test that applies.

And to that I ask: - What would be a good percentage growth to look for?

Eg; finding the property, arranging the financing, finding the contractor, arranging legal documents, sorting out zoning, general management etcAlthough we had an initial idea that each item could increase the percentage return of  each party (ie; if you find the property you would receive an extra  1.5% on the ROI) we are not sure what to value each potential item

Being someone who has always compartmentalize my finances I was wondering if it was smart to pretend I was my own renter and pay myself monthly into a reserve, mainly the CapEx and Repairs percentage that I would apply to an investment property.

HI Jarod,I'd say avoid the stock market 100%.What if things take a nosedive and you lose ether a percentage of your money or all of it.

I have made the least amount of money from this method.Bidding at the foreclosure sales would be some where in the middle, once again depending on the county your working.And pre foreclosures would probably be the easiest, but you will be looking at a lot more properties, and the largest percentage of them the owners are not going to be interested in selling. 

I work primarily with non-investor sellers and I can't think of one who hasn't been willing to go through some inconvenience for a higher sales price.The extra $10K  (or $5K, or $50K) that the seller gets if the price escalates often translates to a big percentage of their net, i.e. if the house sells for $400K instead of $375K - so just under 7% higher - and the seller pays $250K in mortgage payoff and selling expense, the seller actually walks away with 20% more cash.To be clear, I don't recommend toying with buyers and alienating a good offer needlessly by dragging things out - some times that first offer is the best one, or it may come in significantly higher than list price.

A very small percentage of people but a house they find through an open house.

Is it an ROI percentage?

Low income properties have to have a higher percentage taken out to cover replacing items.