In the economic climate we are in there are way to many parts of the country where you would never get a proper value of your asset in line with construction costs.

I don't see seasoned investors buying these types of properties for the most part.So then in my mind these newer investors are buying properties that have minimal returns because they do not have the experience to properly analyze a purchase price.If you are buying TURN KEY you are paying for it.If you want some easy don't expect to get rich off of it.These new investors in my opinion would be better off handing the money over to a seasoned investor who will purchase properly and give them the returns wanted WITHOUT the headache of land lording or overpaying.Again I have never used a turn key company.I just know based on many accounts of others buying through them that many times it does not work in their favor.I have yet to see an independant third party that bought post everywhere that they are cash flowing great and would use turn key again.Instead it's nightmare after nightmare.If I have to deal with a properties nightmares I will do the work and reap ALL the forced equity I wring out of it.Not overpay for lipstick and then be fixing problem after problem.Before you buy in that area go to the eviction court and see how many cases are processing a month?

.* Regular inspections to check for leaks, ceiling damage, make sure window AC units are properly mounted, etc.* Other preventative maint, such as cleaning gutters

I found a triplex offered for sale, and have some info, and I am sure I need more info to properly evaluate this investment.

If you screen sellers properly you can find those that are motivated enough to do this.

That is why you want to buy below Market Value.Market Value is the price an asset will trade (sell) in an open competitive environment.Defined as follows: Market value is the estimated amount for which a property should exchange on the date of valuation between an educated buyer and a reasonably motivated seller in an arms-length transaction after proper marketing wherein the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently, and without undue influence.The delineation of "After Repair" or "As Is" technically exists only as jargon amongst REI groups and conversations.

So we took the financing, and then had a little problem: we needed something productive to do with the 20 grand or so that had been intended for the car.

Seems to me that is a productive step.

I take pride in my career as a film editor, but there is no way I’m going to be comfortable with some random guy off the street jumping in the game with a camera and a computer taking a $199 seminar on video production thinking he can jump in at my level with my years of experience and hard work.

Hopefully I can spread out into a proper office in the near future ;-)@Jon - The county is in the highest concentration of Marcellus Shale in PA.