The value of property and the rental income it generates typically rise with inflation, protecting your wealth.

That has led to inflation, which has led to the Fed's hand being forced to raise interest rates. 

- Woo-Girl Inflation?

This requires an income that rises faster than inflation, or you will not have the additional dollars you will need to pay future inflated prices.What causes rents (and prices) to increase?

Your goal should be to break even or come close in the first year, then let inflation work in your favor for rental renewals and building equity.

I dont know your market but EVERY broker in the world will over promise upside rent and poorly managed (inflated) expenses. do your own DD on both of them and come up with your own pro-forma to evaluate.

Many seller financed deals we see they price was inflated (saw on recently where home didn’t sell for 6 months at 79k so they seller financed it zero down for 99k).

You should be at 5%+ CoC minimum, especially with inflation these days 7%+ is ideal.

CPI measures general inflation for consumers for major individual expenses such as food, gas, shelter, and other basics.

Which, naturally, should be a rare thing if all the numbers are properly analyzed and solid (not made up/inflated ARV in the area no one wants to buy, with fraudulently diminished cost of repairs in hopes of finding a stupid buyer and etc.).