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Plain-English guides to help you plan, save, and decide with confidence.
By Jessica Martinez · Real Estate Finance Editor · Updated June 2026Plain-English guides to help you plan, save, and decide with confidence.
By Jessica Martinez · Real Estate Finance Editor · Updated June 2026Cap rate measures a property's income relative to its price, independent of financing. Learn the formula, a worked example, and what counts as a good cap rate by property type.
Read →Cash-on-cash return measures your annual pre-tax cash flow as a percentage of the cash you actually invested. See the formula, a worked example, and what to target.
Read →The 1% rule says monthly rent should be at least 1% of the purchase price. See when this shortcut is useful, when it breaks down, and how to use it as a quick filter.
Read →Rental property ROI includes cash flow, equity paydown, appreciation, and tax benefits. See the full formula, a step-by-step worked example, and how to use the calculator.
Read →Gross rent multiplier (GRM) equals the purchase price divided by annual gross rent. See the formula, how to use it for quick comparisons, and its key limitations.
Read →A rental property analysis covers market rent, operating expenses, cap rate, cash flow, and financing. This step-by-step framework walks you through the process from listing to decision.
Read →A DSCR loan lets real estate investors qualify based on rental income, not personal income. Learn how DSCR is calculated, what lenders require, and typical terms.
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