I understand looking for positive cash flow is a good proxy to avoid making bad deals when you’re a beginner, but if you’re careful in your estimates and run the numbers properly, I would believe you can still enjoy a decent return on your property even if your initial cash flow is inexistent.Let’s take the example of a zero-CF property (i.e. it’s zero after opex, capex, vacancy, PITI, property management etc..) in the following situation: I put down 20% as down payment for a 30 years loan, at 4.5%The property doesn’t appreciate over the years and I sell the property after 30 years for the same priceI incur 5% closing costs at purchase, and 5% selling cost when exitingI assume no inflation (hence selling price = acquisition price)In this context, my IRR would be 4.55%.

Thanks for the inputs everyone, and thank you for not taking my questions seriously, as I'm sure for anyone slightly more experienced these questions may have looked a bit silly :) I've gotten more than what I expected to learn from this post, it seems that I didn't even properly differentiate private vs hard money!

Lenders also have a lot of other things they'll consider like:-Property Location -Local Economy/Population Trends (Figure you want at least 25k people or be nearby a city of over 100k)-Zoning - Building must be properly zoned for the amount of units it has-Experience (you have enough experience to qualify for a multifamily investment)The truth is there is no one size fits all answer because every lender has their own guidelines which is where a broker comes in handy. 

Sorry if this is an easy one.

It was not an easy one, since we are in CA and the property is in OH, but we made it through and are looking to take on our next project.Bought: $79,900Initial budget: $65,000Real budget: $97,000 (mismanaged project by initial contractor (and second contractor))ARV: $219,900Improvements:Brand new siding on the second floor (was not in the initial budget)New roof (was not in the initial budget)Sealed and painted the basement - was quite creepy down there beforeOpened the floor plan from the living to the kitchen by widening an existing walkwayMoved the kitchen from one side of the house to the other to capitalize on the stained glass windowsGutted the upstairs bathroom and added really good looking featuresAdded a half bathroom and laundry room downstairs by the entry to the backyardNew ACNew plumbingNew electricOur contractor performed extremely poorly on this job, and I am happy to share a cautious word with anyone who aims to invest in Cincinnati about the team at Kaiker Development and Creative Customs Carpentry.

But in hindsight, that was the proper structure at that time in my SFH portfolio building.Finally, this is why you need an attorney that you can partner with long term. 

Not making it easy on you are they!

Things seem to be easy to imagine and put to work but remember Murphy's law and what if things go wrong?

Conventional foundations are an easy fix. 

It should be very easy to find multi units that meet the minimum 1% rule.