The 50 per cent rule, like many other real estate investing guidelines, isn’t always true, but it is a useful way to estimate the costs associated with renting property and can be helpful in some situations. To apply it, an investor must first determine the property’s gross rent and then multiply that figure by fifty per cent to obtain an estimate of the property’s monthly operating expenses.
That appears to be a simple task, right? If the rental income from the property is $4,000 per month, the monthly operational expenses should be close to $2,000.
Does Applying The Rule Of 50 Percent Work?
This “rule” has usefulness, but it also has limitations, just like the majority of the “rules” linked with real estate investing. Despite this, the “back of the envelope” calculation can be a useful tool for estimating the amount of money a property will require each month for operating costs. It can generate a rough estimate, but investors should assess the property as well as its possible operation costs on their own.
Imagine that you are interested in purchasing an apartment complex and that you want to determine the prospective running expenses by applying the 50 per cent guideline. Let’s say the math breaks down to be as follows:
There are ten apartments, and the monthly rent for each one is $3,000, for a total of $30,000. Let’s say we estimate the costs at $15,000, which leaves us with $15,000 in cash. From that sum, you must be able to pay the mortgage, and your overhead costs, and yet make a profit.
You can use this speedy computation, which is an approximation at best, to assist you in determining whether or not to proceed with a more in-depth analysis of a prospective transaction.
When Figuring Out Your Budget Using The 50 Percent Rule, Which Expenses Should You Include?
In general, investors should tally up the operational costs associated with the rental property, which include the following:
- Property Insurance
- Property Taxes
- Maintenance/Repairs
- Utilities
- Property Management
- Homeowner Association (HOA) Fees
Note that mortgage fees, taxes owed on rental revenue, and property depreciation are not included in the calculation. Although there are some markets in which investors believe that the HOA fee should be ignored, the vast majority of investors consider this to be a legitimate operating cost.
A Purchase May Be “Ruled Out” As A Result Of The Rule.
Even though the 50 per cent rule does not provide enough information to proceed forward with a purchase, it could decide to forego an opportunity simpler. Another illustration would be as follows:
You are thinking about investing in a rental property by purchasing a duplex. The rent for each unit will be approximately $1,200, resulting in a monthly revenue of $2,400. However, if the mortgage payment for the property is $1,800, this will consume much more than 50 per cent of the rent, leaving only 25 per cent for expenditures and profit.
If the mortgage payment for the property is less than $1,800, however, this will leave more money for expenses and profit. If this is the case, the rule can assist you in concluding that the investment is not a good one.
There Is A Potential For Variation In Operating Costs Over Time
Using the 50 per cent rule as a method for determining the attractiveness of purchase presents several challenges, one of which is the difference in operational expenses. For instance, certain buildings charge residents for the cost of their utilities, which can result in a considerable reduction in overall costs.
If the structure is older, a string of expensive repairs may drive up the costs to a point where they exceed the threshold of 50 per cent. In a similar vein, the cost of the coverage can go up if there are multiple claims filed against the property throughout the policy period.
There is a possibility that HOA fees will go up for no apparent reason. On the other hand, if the former owner was not known for their thriftiness, it is possible that they overspent on some things that you can save money on (like landscaping or maintenance).
Therefore, when you are assessing the ratio, you might want to take into consideration the trends and possibilities in addition to the existing costs that are associated with the property, even if the economics don’t add up.
The 50% rule applies to a variety of property types in the residential real estate market, including single-family homes, multi-family dwellings, condominiums, duplexes, and so on. Because it can be used in many different ways, it is easy to use when you need to act quickly after finding a potentially profitable opportunity.
When Figuring Out Cash Flow, Use The 50 Percent Rule
Despite how straightforward it is, the 50% rule can also be used in a more in-depth review of a business transaction. In particular, the 50% rule is a useful tool for investors when calculating cash flow. After you have used the 50% rule to figure out the net operating income (NOI), you can subtract the amount you expect to pay toward the mortgage.
The amount that you get as a consequence will give you a good approximation of the monthly cash flow that the property is likely to offer you. The rule and its example formula will be shown with the help of the following example.
The “50% Rule” And How It Can Help You Make Money In Real Estate
You might want to use the 50% rule as a starter and then do a more in-depth analysis later. This is the most effective method to apply the rule. If the property passes the test, you should figure out more metrics before moving forward with the process. The 50% rule should never be used as a final answer when deciding whether or not to invest.
However, it can be used to decide whether or not to invest. For instance, if you run the numbers on a home and find that the monthly mortgage payment is significantly higher than fifty per cent of the rental revenue, the transaction (or your loan) might not be the best option for you.
Before you jump into a new investment opportunity, you need to do all the necessary research and planning. If you want to make money using the 50% rule, you need to understand that it should be used with a reliable rental property calculator.
When it comes time to invest in a property, you should make it a point to conduct market research, question the previous landlord, and carefully examine every aspect of the investment opportunity. In the interim, take advantage of the discount of fifty per cent to swiftly evaluate probable choices and determine whether or not it is worthwhile to take a second look at them.
The 50 rule real estate is used as a guideline to determine the amount of profit that may be made from a particular rental unit. When determining a property’s prospective earnings, the rule stipulates that fifty per cent of the monthly rental income should be made from that income.