Why it matters
Cash flow is what lets an investor hold through reality. A property may look fine until vacancy, repairs, capex, utilities, and management show up. The analysis should include those before the property is yours.
PropLurk take: Rent minus mortgage is the first napkin. It is not the final underwriting.
- Monthly rent and other income: $1,900
- Operating expenses: $650
- Debt service: $950
Result: $1,900 - $650 - $950 = $300 monthly cash flow
Usually include
- Rent
- Other income
- Vacancy
- Operating expenses
- Debt service
- Reserves when judging sustainable cash flow
Do not mix in
- Best-case occupancy only
- Repair costs magically becoming zero
- Ignoring management because you self-manage
- Counting appreciation as monthly cash
Common ways investors mess this up
- Forgetting capex
- Ignoring vacancy
- Using annual taxes as a monthly number
- Skipping insurance increases or HOA costs
How PropLurk uses it
PropLurk separates the cash-flow pieces so you can see what is driving the result and what breaks it.
This guide is educational and does not provide investment, lending, tax, legal, or appraisal advice. Verify the specific property, lender, and local rules before making decisions.
Run the rental with real expenses.
PropLurk keeps the definition, formula, assumptions, offer, and decision record connected so the number does not get lost in another spreadsheet.