@Martin Manning To add onto what others have shared, in the most simplistic terms, apartment complex values are based on Net Operating Income, or NOI, and the cap rate.Price = NOI / Cap RateSo, if an apartment complex has an NOI of $100,000 and a market cap rate of 10%, the value is $1,000,000.Listing agents for complexes love to price based on a pro-forma, which is utter nonsense (unless you're in Austin, in which case apartment complexes apparently have floors made of gold).

@Emeka Okeke, while it can be debated, in my opinion, by far, one of the more simplistic ways to take action and learn the ropes of real estate investing, all while mitigating risk, is to house hack your first deal.

Stuff sounds real cool and worked out on paper but if it were that simplistic, wouldnt most people just do that?

Most are for the borrowers and not the lenders - so they want them to be very simplistic.

I do not really look at it that simplistic as there are a lot of expense allocations; income does not equal cash flow, income minus PITI does not equal cash flow.Good luck

I think a bit simplistic when it comes to business; solve problems 4-profit. 

Roads, water/sewer, city services, heck even just the planning for such is not a simplistic thing for all. 

Would split the discussion between new posters asking either very simplistic, repetitive  or location specific questions.  

I just don’t think it’s anything other than a very simplistic investment concept, it’s marketed as if it’s earth shattering with exotic names being given to mundane concepts, and overhyped and if the posters in this thread are any indication it’s being sold to people incredibly unsophisticated in personal finance.  

An umbrella policy or other insurance policies can often lend similar desired protections in a much more realistic and simplistic manner.