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Updated over 9 years ago, 09/20/2015
Best Way To Calculate Landlord Fees and Determine True Cash Flow?
I am in the process of purchasing my first buy and hold investment property. I have used the BiggerPockets analysis tools, which are helpful, but I'm confused on how to calculate true cost of owning a property. I don't really know what the "50% rule" is actually covering (i.e. does it include mortgage and taxes, etc...?) and I'm not sure what costs I should be adding.
For example, suppose a property generates $3000 a month in rental income. Tenants pay utilities. Obviously I need to subtract mortgage, interest, taxes and insurance from the $3000, but how do I estimate additional costs that I will have to pay? I can think of things like snow removal and occasional repairs, but is there a standard percentage that can estimate what that typically costs?
Using my example, suppose I generate $3000 per month. Mortgage P&I is $1800 per month and insurance is $100 and taxes are $300 per month. Without considering anything else, cash flow is then $800 per month. But what else should I add for my costs? Perhaps assume maintenance costs are equal to (i.e. 20%?) of rental income? Is there a formula?
Thanks.