50% rule is good -- gross Rents - 50% is your expenses, excluding mortgage costsAlways budget at least $200/mo5% gross rent for CAPEX5-8% gross rent for VacancyBuild a spreadsheet to figure out your CAPEX from scratch. It is worth the time.Contractors respond to CASH and INCENTIVESStart small and work your way in with themIf you do your own demo, you will get a better quote