Unless it's a corporate tenant with a long term proven track record that would mean nothing to me as an investor.The reason is businesses fail everyday.Even if the business has thrived for the last few years they might have been only going out of the home or a small space.Now they are going bigger in space and they may or may not grow as expected and the rent might take them down.They could be down sizing in space and carrying a ton of debt and fixing to go under.So as an investor the track record and seasoning and performance of the lease is critical when doing an income approach.You also have to analyze if rents are dropping in the area.Even if the tenant has been there awhile they might be jumping ship for a lower rate elsewhere and the lease is coming up soon.I think FSBO really isn't going to get you a higher price.The agent bringing a buyer will now have to do 2 jobs with the buyer and the seller for one fee.Also the buyer will see you are saving on the listing commission compared to other properties listed for sale and will reduce the offer to you.It's a classic mistake of the seller thinking they are saving the listing commission and the buyer reducing in the offer.

That said, in order for us to grow the offerings we can provide to our users, we need to actually make some money.

My quad's come out to 64,000 a door for 850 to 950 a month in rent on my apartments.I don't look at it only from a cash flow perspective however.The area I have the buildings in is an A location prime for redevelopment down the road.Mike it sounds like your local market is competitive with investors and your margins are thin.On one hand it is good to be in a thriving market where demand is strong because usually supply is lower and the amount of rentals and new development for multifamily cannot meet demand.This helps rents grow at a rate that outpaces utility increases and inflation.The downside is it can make some investors overspend on a property because they feel good about the market.I looked for over 2 years before I bought something.I said many times those buyers were nuts.I tracked the properties and many investment properties after purchase just 1 to 2 years later went into foreclosure.They bought at such a price that it wasn't sustainable.I look for a 10 CAP or better on my purchases.The problem is if you someone who has only gotten 1 percent interest off of a CD or Treasuries or they have gotten beat up in the stock market.Those types of buyers jump up and down to get a 7% annual CAP return beating out your offers everyday of the week.By in large many buyers like this can be lazy.They only look in the MLS for listed properties.Value can be found marketing to sellers that are not on the market.They don't want to make public all of their problems ( I know it is common knowledge of default at some point but this is their mindset ).

Here hoping to learn how to make my business grow.

Due to the nature of the neighborhood, I don't want to be jacking around with internet savvy people.

Rich, I think you're asking a macro question, when rents are more micro in nature.

James I wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth.I had very tough times where things were lean growing up.It builds character and makes you remember where you came from.Having said that you can't let emotions make business decisions for you.This woman has allowed her kids to invade her life and mooch off of her.She has ultimately made that decision.I can see where that high payment without assistance is strapping her.I can't tell you the number of kids who are draining their parents dry and using them.It makes me sick to think of these types taking advantage.I am not talking about a temporary blip where someone is down on there luck but a continous pattern of doing the minimal only and getting the rest from the parents.I have tons of tenants with my apartments and I hear it all.When you have apartments they all talk.If you are soft with one they will take advantage.If you are hard with all they will leave because they can't manipulate and the other ones will pay on time knowing they will be gone if they don't.

I've always heard that it is best not to move in and out of the market because human nature causes people to sell low and buy high.We are propbably 70% RE, 20 mixed funds and 10% cash/bonds.

Eldred•Lead, Sell or Get Out of the Way•Make it Big – Frank McKinney•Maverick Real Estate Investing – Steve Bergsman•Millionaire Real Estate Investor – Gary Keller•Rework•Strengths Finder 2.0•The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho•The Art of the Deal – Donald Trump•The Big Book of Real Estate – Robert Kyosaki•The Go Giver•Think & Grow Rich – Napolean Hill•Landlording: A Handymanual for Scrupulous Landlords and Landladies Who Do It Themselves – Leigh Robinson•What Every Real Estate Investor needs to Know about Cash Flow – Frank Gallinelli•The Pre-Foreclosure Property Investor’s Kit: How to Make Money Buying Distressed Real Estate – Before Public Auction – Thomas J.

These days, appreciation may grow at a snail's pace for the next 7-10yrs.