We were having lunch with he and his wife, and they were identifying with our struggle to find the right first house. 

Probably a post that gets mentioned a lot but struggling to find a solution.

.- 5% for vacancy, maintenance, capEx, 5% for management fees (live in, handling myself)So - on the low end: Valuing rents at $6400 (with one of them being my live-in)Monthly cash flow is -$215/mo fully baked ($6,400 income / $6,615 expenses)5 year annualized return at 26%Purchase cap 4.17%CoC: -1%50% rule: -$277Assuming a 4% YoY increase in value, the sale profit after 2 years and avoiding Cap gains is $338k/52% returnOn the high end:Valuing rents at $7000 (with one of them being my live-in)Monthly cash flow is $2645 year return: 27%Purchase cap 4.79%CoC: 1.25%50% rule: $72Assuming a 4% YoY increase in value, the sale profit after 2 years and avoiding Cap gains is $350k/54% returnWhat I'm struggling with:Is there a way to look at it qualitatively and quantitatively as a space "I'd really enjoy living in"?

I couldn’t imagine having to deal with calls about them, struggling tk find repair people, finding new these days or arranging to have them delivered.

Think of the home like a business and buy one that is struggling and needs assistance that has disproportionate rewards after putting in the required time and effort. 

We are in the process of aquiring an apartment in Northmoor, MO . . . just outside of Kansas City, MO . . . as we are running our numbers on the property we are struggling to get consitent pricing ir direction on the repair of the asphalt driveway and parking area. 

I then became a Realtor, and struggled for a bunch of years.

I think a lot of dudes struggle with “balancing” family life but when they are home they are on the couch and not playing with kids, or doing anything nice for their wife.

I definitely hear your struggles.

It seems like houses are going 10%-20% over asking and being able to find the right amount for a down payment can be a struggle.