I can’t exactly comment on the utilities since every city charges different rates for water/sewer taps, & contractor pricing varies, also depends how far they have to run utilities but from my research steel building materials cost $15/sqft.

Recently found a duplex I really like and was hoping to get some feedback to keep me in the right directionHouse Price: $125kAnnual Taxes: $2700Total Rent: $1455Tenants pay all utilities except water ($1200 a year).Place is in immaculate shape - unlikely repairs are needed any time soon.Does this seem like a decent buy?

Best way is to call the utility company and get the exact price or as close to it as possible.

- it's always good to see another Hoosier utilizing this great site!

I have become quite interested in purchasing units in the Allentown area but was curious, what is the trend for utilities, trash, water/sewer, etc?

you guys make great points on getting the sfh at a nice rate by utilizing an owner occupied loan, but a 1031 cannot be used unless property classified as investment prop meaning higher interest rate and higher down payment 20%~.  

The strategy utilized a Turnkey company out of Philadelphia to locate a suitable property, rehab the property and then place a tenant in that property.

So the initial capital we have now in my eyes and opinion is very important and I want to make sure we invest it with the right things in mind, right strategy, and in a way that is sustainable throughout future real estate investments.- Market = looking for single family homes, 3/2s or 2/1s in try he Philadelphia area since it is relatively close and away from the high NJ taxes.  

Expect to pay between $40 to $60 a sq foot for development costs including engineering, architect, surveyor, permits, utility hookups, etc.

Still, though, there are lots of gotchas, even if your zoning will currently allow the second unit, including:- Utility submeter requirements.- Water and sewer capacity fees (locally ~$10k just for approval per new dwelling unit).- Sewer sizing.