I factor all of the maintenance, vacancy, taxes, operating budget, etc.

And how many of you do 100% of the maintenance yourselves?

maybe they made a mistake or something...the condition here in the Philippines is changing annually...few years ago, christmas was cold, recently, it was like summer time...

All I knew about this family was 2nd-hand information: from the owner and from 2 different maintenance people who have been involved in the past.I gave the owner tips of what to do and agreed to accompany him as a photo taker.

These responses are great, here's mine...You know you're a real estate investor when....the maintenance guy asks if you live in your car. you know every single aisle of Home Depot. you spend more time in your car more than any other place.

(100,000 a year, over 55K for MC, 30 K for landscape, lawyer retainer/bills, repair and maintenance, and reserves to repair and replace common elements.Okay, off the soapbox.

Purchasing multi-family units are excellent investment choices (in my opinion , the best right now), particularly new constuction as they come with builder warranties (little or no maintenance costs for 1-2 years), they will have greater future appreciation (compared with older units), and they will be easier to sell when the market turns to an upswing.As others have mentioned, due your homework (due diligence) and most importantly, run the numbers to make sure the deal makes sense.

This interest rate is adjusted annually, based on market indices approved by FHA, and thus may increase or decrease over the term of the loan.

Comply with health and saftey codes except where you or guests cause the violation.Now each time it does go out, the maintenance guy is here to fix it within an hour, for which I am greatfull (being in NYC without heat in the middle of winter really sucks).

MY LOC is backed by my good name and financial statements submitted a minimum of annually as well as my experience with the bank.They do have paperwork, previously signed, giving them my personal guarantee, rights to receivables, assignment of rents, first born male child, and right to my body parts upon passing.