Articles
Plain-English guides for your next property decision.
Topic
All guidesBuying your first homeYour first rental propertyHouse hackingFinancing & mortgagesRunning the numbersBeing a landlordRenovations & repairsReal estate terms explained
How a rental property actually makes money
Cash flow, loan paydown, appreciation and taxes — and why only one of them pays your bills.
The cash you actually need for your first rental
The down payment is just the start. Closing costs, repairs and reserves come too.
Five red flags in a deal that looks great on paper
Seller numbers, missing expenses, and returns that fall apart when one thing changes.