Guides
Guides
Short guides to the numbers behind a rental deal. Each one links to the free calculator that does the math.
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Guide
What is a good cap rate?
The cap rate formula, a worked example, and why there is no single good number.
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Guide
The BRRRR method explained
Buy, rehab, rent, refinance, repeat, with a worked example of cash left in the deal.
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Guide
The 70% rule and max allowable offer
The max allowable offer formula for flips and wholesale deals, and where it breaks down.
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Guide
What is DSCR? Debt service coverage explained
The debt service coverage ratio, how lenders use it, and the loan a rental can support.
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Guide
How to calculate cash flow on a rental property
Rent to NOI to cash flow, step by step, with a worked example.
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Guide
The 1% rule in real estate
A quick rent-to-price screen, a worked example and its limits.
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Guide
Cash-on-cash return explained
Annual cash flow divided by cash invested, what counts as cash in, and a worked example.
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Guide
House hacking explained
Live in one unit, rent the rest. How the numbers work, with a duplex example and the risks.
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Guide
Short-term rental break-even occupancy
The share of nights you must book to cover costs, and how to test it before you buy.
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Guide
CapEx reserves for rental properties
How to set aside money for roofs, boilers and other big replacements, with a worked example.
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Guide
What is NOI? Net operating income explained
What counts as an operating expense, what stays out, and a duplex worked from rent to NOI.
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Guide
Gross rent multiplier (GRM) explained
Price divided by yearly rent, how to estimate value with it, and why costs can flip the ranking.
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Guide
The 50% rule for rental properties
A quick cost estimate from rent, checked line by line on two made-up houses.
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Guide
Vacancy rate assumptions for rentals
Turn empty weeks into a percent, see how vacancy moves cash flow, and find your break-even rate.
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Guide
Cash-out refinance math for rentals
How much cash the LTV and DSCR limits allow, and what the bigger payment does to cash flow.
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Guide
Seller financing basics for investors
How owner-carry deals work, the terms to agree on, and a worked example with a balloon payment.
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Guide
How to estimate repair costs on a flip or rental
Scope, the big-ticket checklist, a line-item budget with contingency, and its effect on your offer.
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Guide
California ADU rules: what state law lets you build
What cities cannot require, the 750 sq ft impact fee rule, JADUs and rental terms.
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Guide
San Diego ADU rules for the city
Size limits, setbacks, parking, JADUs, the bonus program, permit steps and fees.
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Guide
San Diego County ADU rules for unincorporated areas
Size limits, JADUs, pre-approved plans, the ended fee waiver and the 2026 condo rule.
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Guide
Inherited a house in California? Prop 19 explained
The parent-to-child family-home exclusion, the one-year residence rule, the claim window and a worked example.