Get multiple contractors to come out and let them know that you are having a couple of recommended contractors getting estimates for you.Remember the lowest bid isn't always the best.Many times after you have the written estimates in hand you can go back to the one you liked the best and ask them if they will match the other guys price.You also want to make sure they have insurance and are licensed.

Lets say replacement value is $150,000This puts taxes at 19% of rent and insurance at 16.6%.

Taxes and insurance can fall into holding costs, too.

Property Cost $200,000.00 Repairs Needed $50,000.00 Number Of Units 10 AVG Rent Per Unit $475.00 Gross Schedule Income $4,750.00 Vacancy Allowance 10% $475.00 Gross Operating Income $4,275.00 Less Operating Expenses Accounting $25.00 0.58% Advertising 0.00% Insurance $125.00 2.92% Lawn / Snow $- 0.00% Repairs $85.50 2.00% **Since i guess high for repairs, i lowered this down to 2% Monthly Taxes $458.33 10.72% *** Renter pays Utilities Electric $- 0.00% Gas $- 0.00% Fuel Oil $- 0.00% Water / waste $- 0.00% Total Operating Expense $693.83 16.23% Net Operating Income $- 0.00% Property Cost With Repairs $250,000.00 25% Down $62,500.00 Additional Cash Down $- Remaining Balance $187,500.00 Gross Operating Income $4,275.00 Monthly Mortgage $1,875.00 Total Operating Expense $693.83 Monthly Profit $1,706.17 36% profit My formula always shoots higher on the cost to protect me.

She let me know that her lawyer was going to send a letter to me requesting my insurance company.I put in a claim with my insurance company and after reviewing the facts, they are claiming the incident occured on "common ground" and are also denying any kind of liability.One thing I want to note.

Obviously taxes and insurance is prorated.What was on your original contract with the seller?

I will pay the mortgage payment, insurance and taxes.

A preforeclosure sale involves the sale of the property by the borrower to a third party for less than the amount owed to satisfy the delinquent mortgage, as agreed to by the lender, investor, and mortgage insurer.

There are many other expenses besides taxes and insurance.

My plan is to buy and hold and most of what I find looks like the figures below, which is actually an REO I am going to make an offer on on Monday:3/1 and 984 SFListed for 77,900Estimate Appraisal: 93,500 - 114,000Sold in 2006 for $110,000 - but that was during the boom...Will Offer: 69,000Bank Loan: 80%Down Payment: 20% - best my area offersTaxes: 1693.00Insurance: 1,100Repairs: approx 6,000Will probably rent for about $750 - rents not = to the 1% rule in Ocala.After I figure the taxes, insurance, 5% vacancy rate, 8% of income for maintenance (don't really know how to account for this as I'm a newbie), $210 electricity/water holding costs till rented per year, $200 for advertising to rent it per year, my OE are at 48% of my operating income . 8,400 - 3855 = 4,209.I will have 4,209 left to pay P & I, and I will be negative a couple hundred dollars the first year.