One of the most important reasons to invest in rental properties is cash flow. And one of the simplest ways to measure cash flow is a formula called the cash-on-cash return (CoC for short). In this article, I’ll explain what cash-on-cash return is, when to use it (and when not to!), and how cash-on-cash return [Continue Reading]
How to Buy Good Real Estate Investments, Not Trophy Houses
Early in my career, Jack Miller was one of my favorite real estate investing teachers. He passed away in 2009, but I still reread a lot of his old books and newsletters, like the book Success Secrets (here’s my book review). Jack taught a lot of classic lessons. But one that stuck with me, [Continue Reading]
The One Percent Rule – Quick Math For Positive Cash Flow Rental Properties
The one percent rule is an analysis tool used by real estate investors to quickly screen potential rental properties. I briefly covered the one percent rule in How to Run the Numbers Using Back-of-the-Envelope Analysis. But in this article I’ll go into more depth about what it is, when to use it (and when not to!), [Continue Reading]
Cap Rate Explained (And Why It Matters With Rental Properties)
How do you analyze rental properties? In other articles, I showed how to run the numbers with back-of-the-envelope analysis, including the super-simple one percent rule. But the most important rental analysis tool I use is something called a cap rate. In this article, I’ll explain what a cap rate (aka a capitalization rate) is. I’ll [Continue Reading]
How to Confidently Buy An Investment Property – My Go, No-Go System
Have you ever been afraid or uncertain about a decision to buy an investment property? When you’re spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on one purchase, these feelings are normal! The question is how you respond to the fear and uncertainty. Do you slip into analysis paralysis where you’re frozen and never make a decision? [Continue Reading]
How to Run the Numbers For Rental Properties – Back-of-the-Envelope Analysis
Rental properties in the right location and with the right numbers are incredible vehicles to take you to financial independence. But without getting both of those factors right, rental properties may not work well. So, in a prior article, I shared how to find the right location. In this article, I’m going to show how to find [Continue Reading]