Resources
Real estate investing resources
Whether you're analyzing your first deal or brushing up on the numbers, these guides explain how rental property math works — in plain English.
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Market guides
Browse estimated rents and home prices for popular investor markets, with context to help you set realistic assumptions before you run a deal.
Calculator explainers
Understand what cap rate, DSCR, cash flow, and cash-on-cash return mean — and how each one helps you decide if a deal is worth pursuing.
FAQ guide
Get clear answers about common investing terms, how DealPrism estimates numbers, and how to interpret the assumptions behind the math.
Featured market guides
Market guide
Austin, TX
Estimated rent: $2,195/mo · Rent-to-price ratio: 0.45%. See how Austin compares on cash flow potential and what assumptions are reasonable for a long-term rental here.
Read guideMarket guide
Dallas, TX
Estimated rent: $1,950/mo · Rent-to-price ratio: 0.51%. See how Dallas compares on cash flow potential and what assumptions are reasonable for a long-term rental here.
Read guideMarket guide
Houston, TX
Estimated rent: $1,750/mo · Rent-to-price ratio: 0.56%. See how Houston compares on cash flow potential and what assumptions are reasonable for a long-term rental here.
Read guideRental property calculators
Calculator guide
Rental Property Calculator
A real analysis goes beyond rent minus mortgage. This guide walks through how income, expenses, financing, and reserves all factor into the full picture.
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Cash Flow Calculator
Monthly cash flow is the money left in your pocket each month after every expense and loan payment is covered. This guide shows exactly how it's calculated.
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Cap Rate Calculator
Cap rate measures how a property performs on its own — before any loan is involved. That makes it a useful way to compare properties regardless of how they're financed.
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Deal Metrics
What is DSCR (Debt Service Coverage Ratio)?
DSCR measures whether a property generates enough income to cover its loan payments. Formula: DSCR = Annual NOI ÷ Annual Debt Service Example: Annual NOI = $15,000 Annual debt service = $12,000 DSCR = 1.25 Interpretation: - above 1.0 means the property produces enough income to cover the debt - below 1.0 means the property does not fully cover the debt - many lenders like to see 1.2 or higher Why this matters: DSCR answers the simple question: does the property make enough to pay the loan? It helps you see how much room there is if income drops or expenses rise.
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What is NOI (Net Operating Income)?
NOI is the income a property produces after operating expenses are removed, but before the mortgage is applied. Formula: NOI = Effective Gross Income − Operating Expenses Example: Rent = $2,000/month Vacancy = $100/month Effective Gross Income = $1,900/month Operating expenses = $650/month NOI = $1,250/month Why this matters: NOI shows the property's income before financing. It's useful because it isolates the property performance independent of loan terms and is used in cap rate and DSCR.
Read answerDeal Metrics
What is cap rate?
Cap rate measures how strong a property is without looking at financing. Formula: Cap Rate = Annual NOI ÷ Purchase Price Example: Monthly NOI = $1,250 Annual NOI = $15,000 Purchase price = $220,000 Cap rate = $15,000 ÷ $220,000 = 6.8% Why this matters: Cap rate helps compare properties on their own income vs price, before loans change the picture.
Read answerDeal Metrics
What is cash-on-cash return?
Cash-on-cash return tells you how hard your invested cash is working. Formula: Cash-on-Cash Return = Annual Cash Flow ÷ Total Cash Invested Example: Down payment = $40,000 Closing costs = $6,000 Initial repairs = $9,000 Total cash invested = $55,000 Annual cash flow = $3,600 Cash-on-cash return = $3,600 ÷ $55,000 = 6.5% Why this matters: This helps you compare how efficiently your upfront cash is earning income. Two deals can have the same cash flow but very different cash required; this metric makes that clear.
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