There are a few factors I have had to consider, such as: - living away from where I invest - maintaining a rental property away from where I live - the neighborhoods that I would be purchasing in are not the best -many other things I probably haven't even thought of yetDo many people live this far (about 12 hours) away from where they invest?

Those singles and without children ... including older folks, preferred no yard.If you are only investing in a single home, I would suggest you consider these factors, the park location, the neighborhood (young, old, children, schools, etc.) and then, what type of market you want to pursue.

When you factor in the insane (I'm talking $8000/year on a $200,000 home) taxes, I'm not sure how people make any money on the rentals here.

There are countless factors affecting the rental rate.

If you own 5 houses, you're making 3% of 600k or (18k/yr).Add it all up (rent income, principal paydown, appreciation) and one house with that 80k sitting in it will make you roughly:11,100 per year (before vacancies and repairs)The 5 houses (acquired with the help of that 80k) would make you roughly: 51,300 a year (before vacancies and repairs)There's definitely an exponential factor in real estate when you start looking at the numbers.

Consider the PIA factor of mailing and computing the return, rent could be $5.00 more. :)

I don't like that one because it does not factor cash flow and you can get caught up in an expensive property that will not meet its obligations.Exit?

My rule; if you are that forthcoming, you are a terrific risk ... it is the ones that hide the truth that are the problems.If I do meet with a prospect face to face, I pay close attention to how new the automobile is, the jewelry, the toys, i.e. cell phone, and the clothes - are they designer clothes.NOTE: I once read more than 50 percent of people making less than poverty level wages own a smart phone.

It all depends your goals, needs, market and many other factors.

Hey Christina,According to ConsumerReports.org, the national average cost of a bathroom remodel is $16000, so say $20k with a $4k fudge-factor when engineering your deal (I always round up to the next $5000 when planning.