What Metric is your "Go-To" at-a-glance analysis for deals?

[Alex Heidenreich]

I typically look for the 1% rule based on ARV and an all-in investment of less than 75% ARV. Those are the most important metrics to me. What about you?

[Jim K.]

As a handyman investor in C-class SFR buy-and-hold, the first thing I look at is no metric at all. I look at the design of the property and the quality of its construction. Will it be viable for the next twenty years? If it's not viable right now, what steps will I have to take to make it viable?

What conditions are present that could interrupt, say, a 20-year run, or make it extremely expensive? Are there any complicated condition issues that can't be changed except at great expense and make running the place more difficult? How easy is the place going to be to maintain over the long haul (once I dial it in)? How close is it to my home base? What's the street like, the immediate neighbors like? How well is it going to photograph for rental purposes when I put it on the market?

The key thing: HOW EASILY AND HOW WELL DOES THIS PROPERTY FIT INTO MY BUSINESS MODEL?

I really can't emphasize how important this deeper, more focused understanding of the property is if you intend to leverage your handyman skills, build a hands-on portfolio, and reap the significantly increased benefits of locally investing in this kind of real estate over the long haul. The metrics come second, a strong understanding of what's easy and profitable to run in your local buy-and-hold business model comes first.