How We Use Our Tripod of Adopted Investing Criteria

We consider appreciation extra icing and don't acquire based on assumed appreciation, but we also don't want to be put in a position to exit a property and be required to bring money to closing.

If you've been following us you know we have adopted a tripod of investing criteria we use to analyze ever potential acquisition. There are many criteria and tools used in real estate investing, but our current REI focus in the Pensacola area is buy & hold with an emphasis on cash flow. Since cash flow is the #1 goal, we start our analyzing there but each criteria I mention below must be met before we make an acquisition.

Prerequisite: Asset Must Rent @ 1-2% of Acquisition Costs

Also known as the 1 or 2% rule. I was introduced to this rule by the guys over @ BiggerPockets.com and is the first hurdle any potential asset must leap for us to pursue any further. I try to analyze at least 3 Pensacola properties a day with this prerequisite. Takes approx. 15 minutes or less with this prereq and if it passes, we move onto Criteria #1: Cash Flow.

The 1 or 2% rule is fairly straightforward - the asset must have a monthly rent of 1-2% of its potential acquisition costs. For example, using the 2% rule, if a potential asset has a total acquisition costs (purchase price, closing costs, capital expenses/repairs to make it livable) of $50,000, it must rent for $1,000/month. Knowing the rent values in our investment areas, makes this a quick prerequisite to jump through.

Criteria #1: Cash Flow is >=$100/Month Per Unit

I go into how we calculate cash flow on the Real Estate Investing Terms: Cash Flow post, but essentially you add up all your monthly expenses, subtract those expenses from gross rent. What you have left over is Cash Flow and our target here is $100/unit or in other words $100/door.

Criteria #2: Projected CoCR is >= 15%

Cash-on-Cash Return (CoCR) is a way we analyze Pensacola properties to see how they compare to one another, but also how well they compare against other non-real estate investment avenues (i.e. IRA/401k, stock market, etc.) In the post How We Used Our IRA to Invest in Real Estate, I talk about how previous IRA and current 401K provides a return of <2%, no bueno. That's not even keeping up with inflation. Most people I know who play with stocks shoot for a return of >8% on their money. While our criteria is 15%, anything over 12% we look at in more detail. I'm posting in detail how we calculate CoCR and I'll link back here.

Criteria #3: Asset Acquired @ 20% Below Market Value

This essentially means we make a lot of offers, low offers. My realtor team calls me Mr. Low Ball and I'm ok with that :). The primary reason we do this and especially right now, is preparing for a dip to happen. The Pensacola market has been on the upswing for a while now and many of the local experts are predicting a dip or slight correction in the next 3-5 years. As the market tends to shift, we will slide the % on this criteria. The biggest takeaway from this criteria is look for a deal!

We consider appreciation extra icing and don't acquire based on assumed appreciation, but we also don't want to be put in a position to exit a property and be required to bring money to closing.

Acquisitions are one thing, exits are another. We currently hold 2 criteria as our exit strategy and more to come on those later.

Related Articles:

• How We Used Our IRA to Invest in Real Estate
• Successful REI Takes A Team: Our Roster
• Real Estate Investing Terms: Cash Flow

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions, post a comment below or contact us.