The ideal utilization percentage for the highest positive impact on your score is sort of a big "secret" of fico so nobody really knows for sure what to keep your percentage at, but 20% seems to come up often when I do my research.

I deal with ONLY new-constuction homes in Houston, Tx.

Ideally, you want to find something that is slightly below market value if possible.

Tenants are less inclined to play around with a company than a person, provides a slight intimidation factor.

[/list:u]Of course, there are many other factors, but the above should give you a start.Deborah

I've no idea how strict they are, sometimes companies advertise what they what they are ideally looking for, not what they would necessarily accept in an applicant.

I believe it keeps the neighborhood looking better, helps appreciation (or, at least, is a factor in preventing depreciation), and lessens the competition for rentals in the area.

To me, the measure of risk is how many factors are there that cannot be controlled.

We have several credit cards which could be used for some rehab funding, but that would only be ideal with a flip so we could pay them off with the profits quickly- not a rental situation.If we were to get a home for $140K, what would be your approach.

In my experience lawn care isn't a driving factor on SFRs.