We went moderately over budget on construction for a variety of small reasons.

(My budget is $1000/month).

Happy Thanksgiving BP community I was doing some number crunching on the Zillow calculator app this morning, and given my budget, I can afford, a max of $75k ( maybe $80,000 ) purchase price on a property.

Is my budget realistic?

You just have to budget for their replacement.

If so you are insane with that budget.

I am in the Buffalo area and personally I take most of my investors the cheaper route because being a contractor myself for 25 years or so now, I know what needs to be done and verify its being done on time and budget.

If you can't get a contractor over there right away a ballpark figure of $20,000 per unit for carpet, fixtures, appliances, stripping wallpaper, texturing, painting, new windows, wood pest repairs, landscaping, systems repairs (heating, air, plumbing, electrical, roof, siding, doors) suggests a budget of $80,000 or more.* Hire professionals to do all the skilled work.

You cannot be the nice guy, you must be respectful but demanding of what you asked for.Get referrals from as many pros in your area so save you the headache of hunting down good workers.Get multiple bids on everything.TRUST YOUR GUT.Don't take referrals from unexperienced rehabbers (this one cost me dearly).Create an contingency fund for when you go over budget because you will.

Budgets the money for the manager when you decide to move away from doing the management yourself.