The $200K house rents for $1600/monthThe $100K houses rent for $900/month, eachThe $50K houses rent for $600/month, eachOn a stritly cash on cash basis the $50K are the better deal, better cash flow, when a tenant moves out you only have 25% vacancy instead of 50% or 100%.

Apt vacancies were up at 12% a few years ago, but are now running under 8%.

For example, how many vacancies will you have in a particular rental this year?

You have do your basic due diligence, look at all the expenses, mortgage, insurance, tax, maintenance, vacancy, management etc. to be sure about your numbers.

My sister has been a landlord for 30 years and just got 10 vacancies in one month.

In addition, many tenants charge a fee or a month's rent to fill vacancies.

Taking into consideration any repairs, maintenance, and unexpected vacancies, what would I need to be netting from rentals each month in order for the deal to be worth it?

ncskier,The operating expenses include taxes, insurance, management, maintenance, vacancy allowance, advertising, entity maintenance, legal fees, utilities paid by the owner, damage done by tenants (beyond the security deposit), evictions, court costs, lawsuits, office supplies, phone expenses, etc, etc, etc.

I would say 18 days need to be set aside for vacancies, and $50 a month for repairs.

Advertising vacancies on the web 2.