I am buying homes that wouldn't pass appraisal standard for the low credit/low down loans and cleaning them up and rehabbing for the first time home buyer with marginal credit etc..   

In general, does anyone have any tips/tricks as to how to keep utility bills low in a situation like this where it is almost impossible to isolate where there may be an issue since there are not separate meters and therefore no way to tell which unit is using what and where a breakdown might be occurring? 

The only problem with buying new and renting is you usually can't get a loan that has a mortgage low enough that will allow for cash flow.

The Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and low) Money Down by Brandon Turner. 

They are on the low end of structuring what you can and cant do, mainly wanting to keep a clean, nice neighborhood (all single family communities).

The rental income is too low for the purchase price. 

Is 250k to low for a good neighborhood?

Heck, I used to go to lowes and home depot in the am.

The commissions aren’t nearly as much in leasing as selling, but if you lowed them, no one would show your house.  

Could someone please help me understand why the ROI is so low?