We host 3 meetings a month (1-3rd Mondays at Lucky Lab in Multnomah Village) and have a group of members doing deals on a daily basis in the Portland market. http://myrarebird.com/events/

Needless to say we were fairly stoked that he agreed to speak with our little group.Through the power of the internets, Skype and an overhead projector, we were able to beam his smiling countenance onto the screen for all to see, like Big(gerPockets) Brother watching over us from some Sci Fi flick... only a kind, gentle Big Brother with a beard, a mustache and cool microphone.He then generously answered questions from our members for the next 30 mins.It was incredible that even though Brandon was halfway around the world, it felt like he was in the room with us. 

There are a host of other sites provide similar results, but that's the one I usually go to.

Greetings all,I recall hearing on one of the podcasts that there was a web-hosting/tenant payment tool whereby I can both advertise my business, host photos, about us section of business, etc.

The number of customers available to you on the internet may be higher than in your local area, but so are the number of competitors.

Still, the idea that you could run a furnished, luxury hotel-like accommodation with paid utilities, cable, wifi, etc. with only 18% in expenses is probably pretty wishful, even if you count yourself as an unpaid booking agent, maintenance person, housekeeper, and host when figuring your expenses.  

@Abigail Timbol when I started, there wasn't all this educational content on the internet.

If I adjust for three of the units paying their own electric than my approximate electrical usage drops to $2066 per year which increases cash flow to $5,248 annualy.Here are my numbers as they currently stand:  Assumes $700 mo for the owner occupied unit than 500, 550 and 350  monthly.All tenants are on a month to month so I am not locked in with them so if they don't wish to pay their own electric I can move new tenants in.InputsResultsPurchase price:$105,000Down payment amount:$21,000Scheduled monthly income:$2,100Total out-of-pocket expenses:$22,200Other monthly income:$0Vacancy rate (%):5.00%Debt Service Calculations:Number of Units4Blended rate:5.500%Financing information:1st loan amount:$84,000Down payment (%):20.00%1st loan monthly payment:$4771st loan portion (%):80.00%2nd loan amount:$02nd loan portion (%):0.00%2nd loan monthly payment:$01st loan interest rate:5.500%Total annual debt service:$5,7231st loan term (yrs):30Amortization (yrs)301st loan closing costs:$1,200Income and expenses:2nd loan interest rate:0.000%Gross scheduled rental income:$25,2002nd loan term (yrs):0Gross other income:$0Amortization (yrs)0Total gross income:$25,2002nd loan closing costs:$0.00Less vacancy:-$1,260Total annual operating expenses:-$15,114Operating Expenses (annual):Net Operating Income:$8,826Real estate taxes:$2,300Annual cash flow:$3,103Insurance:$900HOA dues:$0Management fees:$2,640Rates and ratios:Legal expenses:Capitalization rate:8.41%Marketing:Cash-on-cash return:13.98%Landscaping and snow removal:$0Debt service coverage ratio:1.542Maintenance and repairs:$1,320Reserves:$528Other Calculations (precise in one-loan scenarios):Supplies:Minimum desired DSCR:1.2Other:$0Purchase price to support minimum DSCR:$134,935Landlord paid utilities (annual):Average Cap Rate Supported (based on local area):9.6%Garbage:Water and sewer:$2,052MAXIMUM purchase price to support required Cap Rate$84,730 Electricity:$4,210Gas:$1,164Phone/Cable/Internet:$0

I’m also hosting a bunch of out of state investors at my place in Newport next month.

This was in the middle 2000s when there was no real info on the internet.