They might even call it "self-directed" which means that you can direct or pick the investments but only within their boundaries of investment options. 

Properties are SO much cheaper to buy, but the rental rates are more in the $1.00-$1.15/sq ft range.As for utilities, I don't pay any for my tenants. 

Almost half of my portfolio has Section 8 tenants in it and as non section 8 people move out i try to move in more Section 8 tenants but i make sure my property manager screens them THOROUGHLY....not with just what's on paper regarding credit report, income and past criminal activity (If any).....I make sure my PM screens to make sure they have no pets, no evictions, no smoking OF ANY KIND and no felonies and we still get TONS of people calling...the biggest problem becomes picking someone from who is left.   

If you are able to find a way to pick off properties before the auction the deals are much more profitable.

But if I had to pick I'd probably choose Silver Lake over Upper South Providence.

Do not let a day go by without utilizing your 2 available ads.3.

To answer your question, I had picked Indianapolis to look into further based on my analysis. 

Obviously, we are looking at raising rents but we are also looking at "Rubs" Ratio Utility Billing system as an alternativ e.

Is there a source for the following data;  I am looking for the "norm" for the expense ratio (based on either GPR or Gross Income) for individually metered garden style apartments in the south east and the mid Atlantic (Region IV) : Marketing Insurance Janitorial Service Lawn/Snow Licenses Miscellaneous Professional Fees Accounting Legal Property Management Fees Repairs and Maintenance Resident Superintendent Salaries and Wages Supplies Taxes Real Estate Personal Property Payroll Other Trash Removal Utilities Electricity Fuel Oil Gas Sewer and Water Telephone Other (whatever I missed)

I picked a good location - Baltimore, where I have supposedly enviable cash flow, $400-600 per property after PIMI, but before variable costs.