The 1% Rule in Multifamily Real Estate (2024)

The 1% Rule in Multifamily Real Estate (1)

The 1% rule is a rule of thumb that real estate investors use to quickly assess the financial viability of a multifamily investment property. It states that the monthly rent from a property should be equal to or greater than 1% of its purchase price.

For example, if a property costs $100,000, the monthly rent should be at least $1,000. This rule of thumb is based on the idea that a property that generates at least 1% of its purchase price in monthly rent is likely to be cash flow positive.

Of course, the 1% rule is just a rule of thumb and there are other factors to consider when evaluating an investment property, such as the property's location, condition, and expenses. However, it can be a helpful starting point for investors who are looking for multifamily properties that are likely to generate positive cash flow.

Here are some of the pros and cons of using the 1% rule:

Pros:

  • The 1% rule is simple to calculate and understand.
  • It can be a quick way to screen out properties that are unlikely to be cash flow positive.
  • It can be a useful tool for comparing different investment properties.

Cons:

  • The 1% rule does not take into account all of the factors that affect a property's cash flow, such as expenses and vacancy rates.
  • The 1% rule may not be accurate in all markets.
  • The 1% rule is a static rule and does not account for changes in market conditions.

Overall, the 1% rule is a useful tool for real estate investors, but it should not be used as the sole factor in making investment decisions. Investors should also consider other factors, such as the property's location, condition, and expenses, when evaluating an investment property.

If you are interested in learning more about the 1% rule or multifamily real estate investing, I encourage you to do some further research.

I hope this post was helpful. Thank you for reading!

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The 1% Rule in Multifamily Real Estate (2024)

FAQs

The 1% Rule in Multifamily Real Estate? ›

How the One Percent Rule Works. This simple calculation multiplies the purchase price of the property plus any necessary repairs by 1%. The result is a base level of monthly rent. It's also compared to the potential monthly mortgage payment to give the owner a better understanding of the property's monthly cash flow.

What is the 1% rule for rental property? ›

The 1% rule of real estate investing measures the price of an investment property against the gross income it can generate. For a potential investment to pass the 1% rule, its monthly rent must equal at least 1% of the purchase price.

What is the 4 3 2 1 rule in real estate? ›

Analyzing the 4-3-2-1 Rule in Real Estate

This rule outlines the ideal financial outcomes for a rental property. It suggests that for every rental property, investors should aim for a minimum of 4 properties to achieve financial stability, 3 of those properties should be debt-free, generating consistent income.

Is it the 1% rule or 2% rule? ›

The 1% rule states that a property's monthly rent must be at least 1% of its purchase price in order for the owner to break even. The 2% rule states that a property's monthly rent needs to be at least 2% of its purchase price in order for the owner to make a sustainable profit.

When to ignore the 1% rule of real estate? ›

It may be appropriate to invest in a property that doesn't meet the 1% rule if the property is: Currently rented at below-market rates. Forecasted to appreciate in value quickly. Located in an up-and-coming neighborhood.

Is the 1% rule realistic? ›

Is The 1% Rule Realistic? Many people find the 1% rule helpful, but there are some shortcomings with using this strategy. For one thing, properties that fail to meet the 1% rule are not necessarily bad investments. And likewise, properties that do meet the 1% rule are not automatically good investments either.

What is the 1% maintenance rule? ›

The 1% Rule

This method suggests that annual maintenance costs will total approximately 1% of the total property value. If your unit's value is $300,000, plan to budget about $3,000 to spend on rental property maintenance.

What is the 7 rule in real estate? ›

In fact, in marketing, there is a rule that people need to hear your message 7 times before they start to see you as a service provider. Therefore, if you have only had a few conversations with the person that listed with someone else, then chances are, they don't even know you are in real estate.

What is the 80% rule in real estate? ›

What is the 80/20 Rule exactly? It's the idea that 80% of outcomes are driven from 20% of the input or effort in any given situation. What does this mean for a real estate professional? Making more money in real estate is directly tied to focusing your personal energy on the most high value areas of your business.

What is the 50% rule in real estate? ›

The 50% rule or 50 rule in real estate says that half of the gross income generated by a rental property should be allocated to operating expenses when determining profitability. The rule is designed to help investors avoid the mistake of underestimating expenses and overestimating profits.

Is the 1% rule outdated? ›

The 1% rent-to-price (RTP) ratio rule, once a go-to method for estimating rental property cash flow, may no longer hold its ground in today's real estate landscape. Recent evidence suggests that this rule is losing its effectiveness due to inflated home prices and shifts in the rental market.

What is the 2% rule in rental property? ›

Applied to real estate, the 2% rule advises that for an investment property to have a positive cash flow, the monthly rent should be equal to or greater than two percent of the purchase price.

Does the 1% rule apply to commercial real estate? ›

The one percent rule can provide a baseline for establishing the level of rent that commercial property owners charge on real estate space. This rent level can apply to all types of tenants in both residential and commercial real estate properties.

What is the 1% rule in multifamily? ›

The 1% Rule:

According to this guideline, the monthly rent for a multifamily property should ideally be at least 1% of the property's total acquisition cost. For instance, if you're considering a property that costs $500,000, the combined monthly rental income should be around $5,000.

What is the golden rule in real estate? ›

Corcoran's Golden Rule of real estate investing consists of two main parts. The first is being able to purchase property with at least 20% down, ideally in a location that has started seeing an increase in demand. The second is to have tenants living on that property paying the mortgage.

How to calculate the 1% rule in real estate? ›

The 1% rule states that a rental property's income should be at least 1% of the purchase price. For example, if a rental property is purchased for $200,000, the monthly rental income should be at least $2,000.

What is the 2 rule for rental property? ›

Applied to real estate, the 2% rule advises that for an investment property to have a positive cash flow, the monthly rent should be equal to or greater than two percent of the purchase price.

What is the 50% rule in rental property? ›

The 50% rule or 50 rule in real estate says that half of the gross income generated by a rental property should be allocated to operating expenses when determining profitability. The rule is designed to help investors avoid the mistake of underestimating expenses and overestimating profits.

What is the 80 20 rule for rental property? ›

Suppose you have a real estate portfolio consisting of 100 properties. After analyzing your financial records, you find that approximately 20% of these properties generate 80% of your rental income. This means that out of the 100 properties, only 20 properties are responsible for the majority of your profits.

What is a good rule of thumb for rental property? ›

For example, if a rental property is purchased for $200,000, the monthly rental income should be at least $2,000. The 1% rule is a quick and easy way to determine if a rental property will generate enough income to cover the costs of owning and operating the property and create a profit for the investor.

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