The market is excellent, re-developments are ongoing in the area.

@Marcus Auerbach  the option seems like a nice way to go that could be compelling on both sides -- to my knowledge there is only a Lease to Purchase Option state agreement in NJ, but I'm sure I can work something up with my attorney.

I don't really know how much their going for but i saw a nice one that was sold for 20k. 

And some of those people will want to enroll you in a nice system, coaching, etc. program between $500 and $50,000  to teach you how to do it.  

All are/were first position liens with a personal guarantee from the developer, ranging from 11%-12.5%.

One-time Expenses$1000 - Acquisition Costs (minor rehab, legal, & inspection)Annualized Expenses10% Gross Annual Rent - Vacancy Costs (turnover & lost rent)10% Gross Annual Rent - Property Mgmt (standard)$1176 - Repairs & CapEx ($1 per sq foot for tpical property)$1516.46 - Property Taxes (5 year historical average for typical property + 10%)$1000 - Property Insurance (a nice round number: seller reported that he paid $708/mo for one duplex)$27 - Water & Sewer (average across several properties from last month)$0 - Gas, Electric, HOA, Snow Removal (tenant pays or not applicable)$60 - Lawn Care (I made this number up)COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS:This is my analysis of the five properties that are being negotiated right now, listed from best to worst.Property Alpha (two-flat)$1250 - Income, Monthly (actual)$567.37 - Expenses, Monthly (estimated)$42,000 - Price, Signed Contract36% - Cap Rate (Annualized Income / Price)16.6% - ROI, After Tax (annually, assuming 15% income tax)6.0 Yrs - Until this property pays itself offProperty Bravo (two-flat)$1100 - Income, Monthly (actual)$537.37 - Expenses, Monthly (estimated)$42,500 - Price, Signed Contract31% - Cap Rate (Annualized Income / Price)13.1% - ROI, After Tax (annually, assuming 15% income tax)7.6 Yrs - Until this property pays itself offProperty Charlie (duplex)$1075 - Income, Monthly (actual)$532.37 - Expenses, Monthly (estimated)$55,000 - Price, Informal Discussion23% - Cap Rate (Annualized Income / Price)10.7% - ROI, After Tax (annually, assuming 15% income tax)10.3 Yrs - Until this property pays itself offProperty Delta (SFR)$875 - Income, Monthly (actual)$492.37 - Expenses, Monthly (estimated)$48,000 - Price, Informal Discussion22% - Cap Rate (Annualized Income / Price)8.8% - ROI, After Tax (annually, assuming 15% income tax)13.6 Yrs - Until this property pays itself offProperty Echo (SFR)$770 - Income, Monthly (actual)$471.37 - Expenses, Monthly (estimated)$62,500 - Price, Informal Discussion15% - Cap Rate (Annualized Income / Price)4.1% - ROI, After Tax (annually, assuming 15% income tax)24.4 Yrs - Until this property pays itself offNotice how the price keeps going up?

I'd suggest talking to loan officers at the smaller local banks in the Triad - they will have more flexibility in their underwriting criteria than the big banks, might be willing to spend more time with you assembling a good loan if he or she feels a relationship can develop, and will be more in touch with the local marketplace.

I have a rental finishing renovation soon and would like to take nice photos for the listing.

Turns out I underestimated the rents on these 2 new ones when I got them fixed up and rented, and so would like to keep them as they will cashflow nicely.  

I would be interested in hearing about pain points from the community and possibly developing solutions for these.