Ideally I'd like to see that number closer to zero for a really good deal, but that might be wishful thinking about the level of margin to expect in this business...  

My new strategy is to invest strictly for cash flow and California is not an ideal market for this.

Hi,Since reading through this forum for the last few days, I have decided that I would like to invest in properties in good, safe working class areas, in the 50k-70k range.Being from the UK I think that starting with Turnkey properties would be best as it provides a more hands off solution, rather than buying somewhere that needs rehab as this would be very difficult to manage from the UK.When it comes to finance it seems that options are limited, ideally I would want to put as little down as possible so I guess I may need to be creative!

This is about as ideal as it comes to a good situation to get a deal.  

But the ideal payment collection would have the funds wired directly into the lenders account.

With limited time, I would focus on 5 or 6 specific farm areas that are ideal for your primary exit strategy.

I've also convinced my parents to let me sell my car back in Baltimore, which could get me anywhere from 5,000 at the worst to the ideal of 10,000.

If I do hang on to it and refinance, when would be the ideal time to do so?

Ideally would love to be under $500k and have the rental income, wouldn't mind something that needs some TLC/repairs as well, as long as it is in a decent neighborhood. 

Strong economic fundamentals, ideally population growth or at least staying the same•Q.