Realize this is the historical norm and if the future behaves similar to the aggregate of the last 60 years this is by far the most likely scenario.Property is fairly stable: Tenant purchases and has some of the rent applied to the purchase. 

You are in the right place to learn everything about investing and managing your future portfolio.

If the owner is up to it you could get a "lease option" deal which you rent for a while and then buy the property at a future date that both sides can live with. 

I didn't even think MTM was favorable for the landlord before I moved from Canada because it would (in my mind) create havoc in terms of predicting your future cash flows. 

Timberland Bank is investor-friendly and they are a portfolio lender, so it might be worth establishing a relationship with them for future investing needs.

ALL of it goes into my "future to do" list :)DC

Capex is the money you put aside each month for future big purchases such as a roof or new appliances.

we all don't have crystal balls into the future.. but I think the only risk in this is sub prime is sub prime and that always carries risk.. 

Any chance after hosting at a non-smoking joint in the future? 

Does it make sense to sub-meter the property and divide utilities, because I do not want to have all utilities in my name, now and in the future when both units are occupied by tenants?