Amazingly, they suddenly figure out that they happened to leave some spare rent money under the mattress or their rich uncle left them a bond they can cash out.

Context: I’ve been using MLS, realtors and wholesalers to seek out my first investment property (debt free outside existing mortgage, $100k cash saved, stable income), since my network is fairly new and limited as a green investor.

My PM used to use a software rentec, and rentec would give you a running tally of cash in/cash out across your whole portfolio. 

. - Lastly, if you are looking at real estate as a long term buy and hold strategy, you have to look beyond just cash flow.

Look for both cash flow and value add.4.  

If it's cash, then you need to write yourself a check. 

If you've got a lot of cash, look for places where it's cheap to buy, there's a high demand for rentals, and the chance for growth.Good luck!

In the meantime, many sellers who bought before the COVID-19 pandemic stand to earn a tidy profit, as the median list price of homes for sale has increased by 37.5% compared with May 2019.

The same lender said if they could come up with the other 5% they can go 30 year fixed interest only..This is more attractive for cash flow on a higher loan balance but will still be qualified based on the fully amortized rate and payment. 

Ideally we would like to cash flow or at bare minimum break even.