dan yeah I do have no problem with vacancy. Sounds like you guys have a much larger operation. I am down to two rental properties, one a condo in crown point and the second is an sfh in Talmadge. The vacancy rate for each of them is astonishingly low and I have been blessed with great tenants over the past few years. Yes I do manage them and maintain them myself which does cut down on the cost.
I think that the numbers you quoted do vary greatly with the quality of the rental, the submarket where it is, the tenants, etc… I think that there are alot of external factors to bear in mind when figuring out the spreadsheet of whether you are going to cash flow.
For me personally it is alot lower but for others it may well be alot higher given the situation/location/quality of tenant/quality of home that they have.