"Run down, less appealing" areas are often where you find your profit for rentals.Nice houses in nice areas are speculative plays.

Larmon, with only 17 posts and your post playing so well into the list of favorable factors listed by CJ, sure looks like you might know CJ.

@Randy F.As a licensed contractor who does things correctly and plays by the rules I completely agree Randy.

If I'm doing any proforma estimate I'll use 10% after PITI.The only reason for me to do such guesstimations is for financing matters.I understand that many investors like to play with their calculators, I'm guilty of that at times to put a smile on my face.

There are plenty of things in place that make no sense.Just be glad the funds can be gifted and they are not required to be "seasoned" in your account.If you want the property you have to play by their game.

I cannot deal with this.I've been the nicest, most pleasant landlord to deal with.Our kids have played together for chrissakes.By the way, interesting enough, I called a buddy of mine and spoke to him about it.

Things like exhaust connection, the air for combustion intake, chimney liners - those all play a role in making sure that the heating system does not fill the house with CO.

There are some powerful forces at play here, and I think that it is somewhat silly to take it for what it is - there's much more to this story than consumer protection...

To swing odds in your favor as an investor you play the percentages and possible outcomes.This is what insurance carriers do all day long.

At you age I think I was more concerned playing computer games.