- 55.00 (10%)Taxes - 54.00 (650.00/year)Insurance - 42.00 (500/year)Vacancy - 28.00 (5%)Total expenses - 234.00/monthMortgage 142.00/month-------------------------------------Total 550.00 - 375.00 = 175/month cash flowCash flow good enough?

They only focus on cash flow rather than total returns.It is a never ending argument.

Once you get your labor-only numbers, just add them to your material cost spreadsheet and you should have a pretty good idea on what your total costs will be for each rehab task.

All of us are familiar with the "rule of thumb" ratios for how much your house payment should be as a % of your net income, used to be 25%, seems to have creeped up in recent years. But, how much of your net worth are...

Excited, confident...but totally in the dark,--Dean

They take a percentage of the total rent.

I totally refurbished my duplex in El Paso with the help of my dad and really had fun doing it.

Was totally unprepared.

For the past 40 years, we've averaged between 3-5% appreciation per year.Here are some numbers:Sales Jan 2006 – July 2006Houses Under Contract 10042Houses Sold & Closed 8811Average Selling Price $172,273Median Sales Price $138,500Sales Jan 2007 – July 2007Houses Under Contract 10213Houses Sold & Closed 8998Average Selling Price $173,845Median Sales Price $139,900% Change from 2006 to 2007Houses Under Contract 1.7% IncreaseHouses Sold & Closed 2.1% IncreaseAverage Selling Price 1.0% IncreaseMedian Sales Price 1.0% IncreaseWhile it doesn't represent a complete picture of the market, it at least shows some indication of strengthening.The number of total properties on the market is still relatively heavy compared to several years ago - but at least the rate that they are coming off the market is starting to increase.Generally speaking, partially due to the media frenzy about the "disastrous real estate market" - its still a good time to buy investment properties, or move up from your existing home.Its generally not a good time for a lateral move, or downsizing.

Maybe appreciation will happen and you build the total value of the portfolio.