Practical notes for self-managing landlords—portfolio structure, leasing workflow, applications, and listings—alongside finance guides.
Practical notes for self-managing landlords, delivered when a new post drops.
Understanding which metrics matter when evaluating rental property returns—cash-on-cash return vs. cap rate, which inputs to trust, and where calculators make unrealistic assumptions.
Read articleUnderstanding P&I vs. PITI when analyzing rental property acquisitions—what the mortgage payment calculator shows, what it doesn't, and how to use it as part of your purchase decision process.
Read articleA step-by-step guide to using the Buy vs. Keep vs. Sell Analyzer to compare holding your rental property versus selling it outright versus doing a 1031 exchange—with real numbers, tax implications, and a worked example.
Read articleSome location features are discounts, some are premiums, and some are both depending on the tenant. A field-check guide for small landlords evaluating roads, trains, waterways, golf courses, and other high-traffic neighbors before making an offer.
Read articleA stale condo listing with seller financing can look like an opening for a small landlord. Before you make a low offer, separate the price from the financing terms, read the HOA documents, and underwrite the unit like a rental instead of a tired buyer.
Read articleA house that appears to sell and then returns to market a few days later can be a data glitch, a failed deal, a fast resale, or a warning sign. Here is how small landlords should investigate before making an offer.
Read articleIf an agent asks you to sign a buyer agreement before showing a potential rental property, that may be normal. The important part is understanding the commission, term, exclusivity, and how it affects your offer math before you tour.
Read articleA dim unit can still be a good rental, but only if the rent, tenant profile, legal use, and exit value all reflect the trade-off. Here's how small landlords should evaluate low-light bedrooms before making an offer.
Read articleA low offer is not automatically unserious. For small landlords buying another rental, the right response is to turn the number into a clear offer memo, understand your agent's pushback, and know when to escalate or change representation.
Read articleA deal memo for small landlords: how to judge a turnkey-ish duplex that appraises higher after purchase, what to tell the appraiser, and when a cash-out refinance is a real BRRRR versus just a higher-leverage rental.
Read articleA listing that calls a property four bedrooms when you only see three can distort comps, online estimates, rent assumptions, and resale expectations. Here's how small landlords should verify the count before making an offer.
Read articleWhen you need to move but can't sell your home—because of negative equity, a weak market, or timing—renting it out becomes the default option. Here's how to transition from homeowner to landlord without making expensive mistakes.
Read articleWhen you inherit a rental property with tenants in place, deciding whether to keep collecting rent or sell requires balancing cash flow, tax implications, emotional attachment, and your own financial goals.
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