You could of course go and say the water and electric usage is eating into your budget and you need to up the rent by $5-10 to cover it (if she is month to month).

As much as I love your enthusiasm and excitement to get started, it's also important to budget like a business would.  

PP   real rehab budget and HUDS from your last 5 to 10 deals to prove you were successfulNO experience  NO joy from most experienced investors in this space.if you have zero experience you need to put family and friends together or work the REIAs hard and find some one that takes a liking to you

As a primary residence, you will have low down payment options but would likely have to look at the periphery of the hot neighborhoods to find something that works (for financing qualification as well as your budget). 

You'll be paying 2x housing costs for a few months but just work that into your budget.

Purchase price: $89,000 Rehab Budget: $15,000 (probably will be $18,000 when completed)ARV: 140,000+Gross Monthly Rents: $850 for 2/1, $650 for 1/1. $1500 Total.I pay for water and trash, should cash flow about $500 a month after expenses.My strategy is to fully rehab both units, replace some damaged hardwood, refinish it all, upstairs bath and kitchen were totally gutted, and will be refinished and tiled.

We've almost completed 4 flips, with each one having a rehab budget over 100k and an ARV over 500k.

It may make sense in some property classes (e.g. apartments), just calculate your expenses correctly and budget accordingly.

Well, I was approached by one of the more prolific crowdfunders and they offered what amounted to an almost 10% premium over the all cash buyer.Moral of the story: If you're selling a deal the only way you would entertain the crowdfunders if:1) It's a marginal deal with hair on it;2)you have no TMV concern and you can wait for a buyer who will over pay; or 3)the capital market is frozen.All crowdfunding sites are touting their great returns over the past 5 years...uhh duh, check your stocks over that period - are you quitting your job to sell the"

(yes I am a realtor who is a NEWBIE on a shoestring budget)My questions are this (besides getting the seller to sell)1) How do I approach getting, fixing and holding this property with no money?