The nicer the area the higher the rents and better the tenant base tends to be on average but higher prices and entry points also.

The rates/ down payment will be higher for the investment , as teh banks see more risk there .

Terms on the seller financing need to be exceptional, even considering the loan costs you'd save, if the price is just fudged higher, like 3%. seller financing doesn't add value to a property and you may need to refinance it, so look to market value, less being better.

My offer of $133k was accepted, which is higher than my other rentals but this home needs no repairs. 1960's ranch. 4 beds, 2 baths, hardwood floors, new windows, newer kitchen, 2 car garage, newer furnace, newer baths.

ALSO - maybe the landlord pays all utilities, which puts the rents artificially higher than market (are the rents at typical market?)

Will you be able to get Higher rents and possible force appreciation?

She may be holding them to sell to investors or retail buyers, with the pitch of "This house isn't on the market yet, but..." to draw a higher price and this agent would get both sides of the transaction, buyer and seller.You haven't mentioned how long she has owned the houses, years?

In some place the rental yields are lower/higher than in other places.

I can think of a couple of ways:1) Agreement with 2 payments dates (say 5th and 20th) and have late fees accrue from each date.2) Agreement with full payment due by the 20th ($50 higher), but violation of agreement would occur if 1/2 not paid by the 5th.Anybody else run into this scenario??

Disadvantage, it will be my first home that I OWN..The meat - 3 family - 2462 SF - Purchase price $300,000 (in discussion w/owner)Unit 1- 3bdrm plus art gallery - $1400/MoUnit 2 - 2bd - $1100/MoUnit 3 - 1bd - $900/MoTotal (conservative rents) = $3400/MoProperty is recently vacant, in decent shape (out-dated) nothing major needed ASAP, I would look to do minor cosmetic upgrades to be a "higher standard" rental unit at competitive market rate.2nd Property - Single Family 3,000 SF 5 bdrms - 2 kitchens (possible multi conversion) - Purchase Price $280,000 (in discussion w/owner)Quiet Dead end street in nice neighborhood, large backyard w/greenhouse-ARV - $425-$450,000Assessed $440,000..Initial walk through property needs new roof, and may have mold issue.