The things that seemed to influence the lenders is credit worthyness and proven track history of being able to perform to the expectations.

Is this the norm, or should I expect positive cash flows before taxes are considered?

All expecting to make the fast buck, to get the life they see on the infomercial.

However, if the market changes and you can suddenly rent this same property for $900/month, there is no reason to expect that expenses would suddenly become $450/month on average over the long run (unless, perhaps, property tax increases as well -- so it's not 100% clear cut).Point is, it's a estimator.

They expect a government handout while they drive cars that look better than mine, get expensive hair and nail treatments, and generally sit around all day.

I don't think the question was about the investment as much as the analysis process.When I run a projection like this, I like to make it kind of a "what to expect in the first year" scenario.I also include projected tax benefits, equity buildup (amount of principle paid) and somtime include some estimation of appreciation.So, using your numbers (and a couple of my own assumptions), this is what I get:Your Assumptions:Purchase Price $250,000.00Down Payment $50,000.00Loan Term 30 yearsLoan Rate 7.80%Yearly Income $33,495.00Yearly Expenses $11,412.00My assumptions:Property Appreciation3.00%Buyer's Tax Bracket30.00%Depreciation- Land 20.00% Building 65.00% over 27.5 years Personal Property 15.00% over 5 years1st Year Benefits:Cash Flow$33,495.00Income-$11,412.00Expenses=$22,083.00Net Operating Income $1,439.74Monthly Payment*12Months=$17,276.89Debt Service $22,083.00Net Operating Income-$17,276.89Debt Service=$4,806.11Cash FlowTax Shelter$22,083.00Net Operating Income-$5,909.09Building Depreciation-$7,500.00Personal Property Depreciation-$15,538.73Interest Paid$-6,864.82Taxable Income / Loss $-6,864.82Taxable Income / Loss*30.00%Tax Bracket $2,059.45Total Tax Effect (You save this much in the first year on your taxes...)EquityIn the first year's payemts, $1,738.16 of principle will be paid.AppreciationA property worth $250,000.00 whose value increases by 3.00% per yer will increase in value by $7,500.00 in the first year.Total BenefitCash Flow + Shelter + Equity Increase + Appreciation = $16,103.7132.21% return on down paymentIf you don't like to include Appreciation, then you getCash Flow + Shelter + Equity Increase = $8,603.7117.21% return on down payment

You can expect to put between 10-25% down, but generally 20% of the appraised value is what to expect.

Then, I set my expectations pretty low for what it means to "take care of it."

You can't expect to unload a property in any buyers market very quickly because it is a buyer's market, not a sellers.

THIS year as the year goes on, and next year, I expect it to dwindle to the 8-12% range.