The 1% Rule in Multifamily Real Estate (2024)

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!

The 1% Rule in Multifamily Real Estate (2024)

FAQs

The 1% Rule in Multifamily Real Estate? ›

The 1% Rule:

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 the 1% rule realistic? ›

Is the 1% rule realistic? The 1% rule in real estate investing is a useful guideline but not always realistic in every market.

What is the 2% rule in rental real estate? ›

The 2% rule is a rule of thumb that determines how much rental income a property should theoretically be able to generate. Following the 2% rule, an investor can expect to realize a positive cash flow from a rental property if the monthly rent is at least 2% of the purchase price.

What is the 80 20 rule for rental property? ›

The 80/20 rule in real estate, which suggests that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts, is a principle worth embracing. By focusing on the most effective strategies and prioritizing tasks accordingly, you can maximize your productivity and achieve greater success in your real estate endeavors.

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 3% rule in real estate? ›

1%, 2% or 3% rule is a gage of measuring if the investment would be profitable. The comparison is between the gross rent and the purchase price. 50% rule relates to quick reference practice of estimating your operating expenses so you can arrive at your NOI (net operating income). 1. Realty Circle.

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 90 10 rule in real estate? ›

He explained how investors can leverage strengths in one area to complement others, fostering balanced and effective partnerships. Roger shared his 10/90 rule, balancing risk by investing 10% in higher-risk projects and 90% in stable, cash-flowing properties.

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 a good ROI on rental property? ›

In general, a good ROI on rental properties is between 5-10% which compares to the average investment return from stocks. However, there are plenty of factors that affect ROI. A higher ROI often also comes with higher risks, so it's important to compare the reward with the risks.

How much profit should you make on a rental property? ›

Generally, a good ROI for rental property is considered to be around 8 to 12% or higher. However, many investors aim for even higher returns. It's important to remember that ROI isn't the only factor to consider while evaluating the profitability of a rental property investment.

What is the rule of 72 in rental property? ›

Just take the number 72 and divide it by the interest rate you hope to earn. That number gives you the approximate number of years it will take for your investment to double.

How do you calculate the 1% rule for rental property? ›

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 10% rule in rental real estate? ›

The 10% rule is a quick and straightforward way for investors to evaluate the potential profitability of a real estate investment. It involves calculating the expected annual income from the property and ensuring it equals at least 10% of the property's purchase price.

What is the formula for rental property? ›

To calculate the property's ROI: Divide the annual return by your original out-of-pocket expenses (the downpayment of $20,000, closing costs of $2,500, and remodeling for $9,000) to determine ROI. ROI = $5,016.84 ÷ $31,500 = 0.159. Your ROI is 15.9%.

What cap rate is the 1 rule? ›

But regardless of how it's spelled, the underlying principle is still the same. The 1% rule is a strategy used in real estate investing to determine your cap rate. It states that when evaluating properties, investors should calculate monthly rent to be at least 1% of the total purchase price.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 5926

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (79 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.