It seems like rent is rapidly increasing, including east oakland.

Buyers start their search for a new home by scanning online photos, and if the photos are low quality or do not show the areas buyers are interested in, they are likely to pass by the home for one with better photos.

The number of BP members from the Triangle area has been growing rapidly over the last several months so welcome to the club! 

There is also a community college with 5000 students and growing rapidly (we just started 2yr free tuition in TN).$600 was based on the market rents I could find from all oine sources, there is also a 12 unit 1/1 building down the street that rents for $600 including utilities that is 100% occupied.  

Anybody have a recommendation in Cedar Rapids area for vinyl siding installation?

Our payment to the seller is right at 50% of the NET monthly cash flow (after the 50% rule).GROSS RENTS = $4700, Less 50% rule = $2,350 NOI (Monthly)Private Lender 1st = $750 interest only - could roll to a P & I refinance down the road.Seller carry 2nd = $1150 (@1.95% interest) rapid principal paydown.Net Monthly Cash flow = $450 - or $5400 annually after all debt service and expenses.Maybe my numbers will vary a bit from this once we get into it, but our projections are fairly conservative, and we plan to renovate and hold this property for at least 9 years, then worst case scenario we will owe the $90k first and $56k 2nd, and if there's no appreciation the building would still be worth at least $250k.

I also scan MLS listings as well, but this typically gets a lot of investor/buyer attention, so more competition.

But section 8's can be a easy stream of income if you know the game and play it right, as the goverment checks don't bounce....well not yet at least :)Brian wish you the best.

I scan Zillow all the time, but I would like to have a more refined search and more pictures.

If I'm scanning the MLS for my area, I want to be able to identify properties which are worth more investigation (i.e. actual numbers, as you mentioned).