That with solid liability insurance is all that I feel I need (LLCs are very expensive and cumbersome to maintain in my state).

My wife and I owner occupy and self manage a 3-unit in Logan Square and will be going on vacation for just over 2 weeks and are looking for short term coverage while we are away.   

Utilities are generally public and you can call them to get averages, taxes are public as well and can be pulled either from a assessor website or at their office, insurance companies can give you cash value and replacement value quotes by giving them an address, general rule for running calculations for vacancy is 5-10% of gross income, I have seen maintenance expenses all over the map (anywhere from $300-750 or a % of the rent - those vary depending on the number of doors in the deal as well as how much deferred maintenance has to be dealt with or how much rehab you are going to do to negate the deferred maintenance), contracted services, call a few landscapers and get quotes and use those for your analysis. 

I believe (but do not know for sure) that no title company will insure a tax deed in any state without a quite title action. 

Most cant call title company and get a date down on the phone  We could and did. and most wont take the risk  which we did.. there is a lot of risk buying sub too with no title insurance or paying off a loan with no title insurance.. but that's were the big money is made in this field.I would walk into the homes we bought and many times the people leave the 200 plus direct mail pieces they received right there in a neat pile on the counter..

So $800 rent and price no more than 40k per door to get the 2% rule.So in general, you do get the 2% rule with a $750 rent wherever you can get a unit in tenantable condition for 37k.I would add that besides market value of the land, average cost of construction of new house is $150 per sqf and insurance puts replacement value at $70 per sqf.

It will cost about $500 and if you opt to get the sellers coverage you will also get coverage while the property is listed for sale.

They are very mom/pop style and couldnt really give any specifics on other expenses besides electric 30, taxes 270, water 250, so i estimated vacancy, repairs, cap ex, management, insurance, etc.

Lower taxes and insurance per unit.

But Fannie and Freddie's first time buyer programs have a much better deal on mortgage insurance.