I'd prefer to see that more like $100If I assume I put 20% down and pay the rehab out of pocket I get:Payment $213Cash flow $237Total cash invested: $24KCash-on-cash: $11.8%That seems low for my critiera.

I'd prefer to go in the hole by $150/mo.Huh?

But, then again, it seems some people would prefer to spend more taxpayer money killing than healing...to each his own...

A decade ago, a good business plan, preferably technology based, would have gotten you more money than you could spend.

The VP of the bank knows me by name even though I am a very small time customer there.

Determine how much the house is worth to you as an investor, and offer no more than that amount (preferably less).In many cases, that will put your offer much lower than the MLS price, in which case it's up to you whether you want to submit it or not, but there's no reason to look at the MLS price first, and make your bid based on that.

If a few of you don't mind sharing, How do you (or your CPA) prefer to setup Quickbooks for rehabs.

"It's kind of compounding the problem, I think." . . .The government's TARP purchases of preferred shares gave some banks a thicker capital cushion -- if only fleetingly -- which regulators hoped they would use to make more loans.

I have had a few customers now who's kids have been poisoned in nice suburban homes from crawling around on floors of houses where the previous owner (1970-80's) decided to strip paint.

I've been running numbers, and if I can get something in the nicer area for $80k that rents for $1200 ... preferably newer construction to keep capital costs down.