Profitability to us = cost (mortgage) plus expenses (utilities, housekeeping, furnishing, supplies - long list) exceeded, plus at least 10% of downpayment recaptured every year. 

What are the obligations of a California SFH family of owners who rent the attic (which is one big finished bedroom with private bath) out to a single man who went missing the 2nd of the current month we now find out he was pulled out of his rental car and extradited from California to New York on a warrant out for his arrest for a DUI accident that happened 2 years ago.Details of the accident not that have a keen interest but for what its worth will share his story: victim, a retired man, who sustained a brain injury 2 yrs ago from that incident, has apparently taken the turn for the worst and decided to press new charges for new medical costs and decline in mobility/quality of life, stress, anxiety etc for the accident 2 yrs ago which insurance paid out but victim wants the settlement amount (175k) a second time over? 

Having a 10-12 years investment plan to build up a portfolio to sustain my retirement I consider Dubai RE market too volatile and I don't feel safe for my strategy, unless a future drop of prices will make me change my mind.On the other side, the town I live in Italy, north of Rome, is still economically very weak, still overpriced and not offering interesting ROI.So, the idea is to look for opportunities in Europe (my niche is students rental), searching for areas with a good growth potential and ROI.

The daughters are paying all utilities, property taxes and other expenses associated with the property.

In the end, refi to pay back the HELOC and roll everything into a new loan on the property.As with the original posting, I too want to utilize the HELOC for rehabs since I am not able to finance that portion with a conventional.

I have a few that receive discounts for services like @James Wise mentions.In an environment of ever increasing utility costs and rising taxes, sometimes the best I can do is raise a good tenants' rent by, say, $25, then include an addendum with that rent raise that 'reduces' their rent by the same amount for continuing to pay on-time and in-full with no neighbor complaints.  

Hello,I've been looking for creative methods to utilize the funds in my Self directed IRA to purchase Real Estate.

But in general, if you have a piece of land with utilities already running into it, it should be much easier than going with bare land. 

We are both passionate about sustainability in real estate and with our consumer goods.

I realize you have been utilizing the site more than I thought.