Hey @Michael Hurdle - If you want a REALLY rough estimate, I usually say 10% for selling expenses (that's realtor fees, closing costs, etc) but Holding costs are tough to say - I guess it depends on how long you hold it and what your expenses are.

Cleveland can be a tough nut to crack.  

It is kind of tough for me to turn to family and friends because my family isn't the richest.

Darin,Thanks for sharing the tough times as well as the good.Bob

There are some other duplexes around of various price and quaility.So back to my original question (which is a tough one :-), what level of cash flow is "worth it", in a market with dim hopes of any real capital appreciation.

Without having a realtor, or at least access to the MLS, good comps might be tough to find.

Because of this, I took risks I shouldn't have and bought homes I REALLY shouldn't have.The guys that made it through the tough times were the ones used to paying 15-20%. 

I have never done one and I am planning on jumping into wholesaling.I am having a tough time figuring out a realistic first year goal for myself.

It sounds like the husband is trying to make it tough on his wife for sure but she definitely has rights being on the lease. 

It's going to be tough because he seems to be a pretty cheap guy.