Trent smith your website is horrible and I would like my refund 

Take whatever last year's # was and tack on 10-15% and figure it'll go up at least 2-5%/year and probably more.Landscaping our PM charges $30/trip which is twice/month in the spring/summer.Definitely get a pest INSPECTION up front, we have had horrible issues with bed bugs and roaches at our 2nd property which we did not expect at all going in.

I recently moved out of a rental property, and I just received a notice from my landlord about some ridiculous charges against my security deposit, which strangely add up to almost the exact amount of my deposit (Hmm....

Wow @Erika KettlerThat is horrible that people go to those lengths.

As a first time investor if something were to go wrong and the investment turned out horribly, you'd have no retirement. 

West Allis was just brought up yesterday to me by another 'pre' investor who told me that someone told him that West Allis was a horrible place to buy--I personally told him that I believe the other guy doesn't want competition :) but also that neighborhoods much like scope of works, can be very subjective and dependent on your immediate resources and long term goals. 

That's a horrible risk to take on as a homeowner, I paid you you're dues upfront but now you're going to be budget quality for the next 2-3 years. 

I am wanting to move my kids to a new school districts and out of the one we are in which is horrible. 

However, my current property management company is horrible!

There may be an isolated pocket of good news here or there, but unfortunately the housing market is HORRIBLE (if you're looking at sales and price) throughout the United States.