What Is the One Percent Rule?
The one percent rule, sometimes stylized as the "1% rule," is used to determine if the monthly rent earned from a piece of investment property will exceed that property's monthly mortgage payment. The goal of the rule is to ensure that the rent will be greater than or—at worst—equal to the mortgage payment, so the investor at least breaks even on the property.
Key Takeaways:
- The rent charged should be equal to or greater than the investor's mortgage payment to ensure that they at least break even on the property.
- Multiply the purchase price of the property plus any necessary repairs by 1% to determine a base level of monthly rent.
- Ideally, an investor should seek a mortgage loan with monthly payments of less than the 1% figure.
The one percent rule can provide a baseline for establishing the level of rent that commercial property owners charge on real estate space. This rent level can apply to all types of tenants in both residential and commercial real estate properties.
Purchasing a piece of property for investment requires a thorough analysis of numerous factors. The one percent rule is just one measurement tool that can help an investor gauge the risk and potential gain that might be achieved by investing in a property.
How the One Percent Rule Works
This simple calculation multiplies the purchase price of the property plus any necessary repairs by 1%. The result is a base level of monthly rent. It's also compared to the potential monthly mortgage payment to give the owner a better understanding of the property’s monthly cash flow.
This rule is only used for quick estimation because it doesn't take into account other costs associated with a piece of property, such as upkeep, insurance, and taxes.
Example of the One Percent Rule
An investor is looking to obtain a mortgage loan on a rental property with a total payoff value of $200,000. Using the one percent rule, the owner would calculate a $2,000 monthly rent payment: $200,000 multiplied by 1%. In this case, the investor would seek a mortgage loan with monthly payments of less than and absolutely no more than $2,000.
The One Percent Rule vs. Other Types of Calculations
The one percent rule also helps give an investor a base point from which to consider other factors regarding the ownership of a property. A second important calculation is the gross rent multiplier, which uses the monthly rent level to determine the amount of time it will take to pay off the investment. This calculation is achieved by dividing the total borrowed value by the monthly rent.
In the example of the home with a value of $200,000, the investor would divide $200,000 by $2,000. This gives the investor a 100-month payoff period, which translates to a little over 8.3 years. Investors can also use the gross rent multiplier when considering the payment schedule terms of a loan taken for the property.
The 70% rule implies that an investor should not pay more than 70% of the property's estimated value after repairs fewer costs.
Special Considerations
In calculating the gross rent multiplier, a buyer must also consider the rental rates in the area in which the property is located. If the standard rate for rent in the neighborhood is less than $2,000 for the buyer in this example, the investor might have to consider decreasing the rent to ensure that they find a tenant.
Another important factor to consider is maintenance on the property. The property owner is responsible for upkeep and repairs. While a deposit might cover substantial damages, it's also important for the owner to budget a specified amount of the rent for savings toward maintenance. This can contribute to profits if it's unused, and the money would be available when any maintenance needs arise.
Overall, investing in real estate can be lucrative for long-term investors. The base rent that an owner charges on any type of property sets the level of payments expected by tenants. Owners typically raise rent annually to manage inflation and other costs associated with the property, but the base rate is an important level that determines the overall return on an investment.
FAQs
The 1% rule states that a rental property's income should be at least 1% of the purchase price. For example, if a rental property is purchased for $200,000, the monthly rental income should be at least $2,000.
What is the 1 percent rule in real estate example? ›
Examples Of The 1% Rule
Let's say you need to make about $10,000 in repairs before renting the home. Add the cost of repairs to the home's purchase price for a total of $160,000. Then multiply the total by 1%. You'll get a $1,600 minimum monthly rental rate.
Why does the 1% rule work in real estate? ›
How the One Percent Rule Works. This simple calculation multiplies the purchase price of the property plus any necessary repairs by 1%. The result is a base level of monthly rent. It's also compared to the potential monthly mortgage payment to give the owner a better understanding of the property's monthly cash flow.
What is the 4 3 2 1 rule in real estate? ›
Analyzing the 4-3-2-1 Rule in Real Estate
This rule outlines the ideal financial outcomes for a rental property. It suggests that for every rental property, investors should aim for a minimum of 4 properties to achieve financial stability, 3 of those properties should be debt-free, generating consistent income.
What is the 10 to 1 rule in real estate? ›
The 100 to 10 to 3 to 1 rule is a guideline for real estate investors that suggests a property's monthly rent should be at least 1% of its total purchase price.
Does the 1% rule in real estate still work? ›
The 1% rule used to be a pretty good first metric to determine whether a property would likely make a good investment. With currently inflated home prices, the 1% rule no longer applies.
Does the 1% rule work? ›
If you're in the early stages of evaluating rental properties to invest in, the 1 percent rule is a quick and easy way to estimate the minimum amount you'd have to charge in rent to make a profit. Keep in mind, however, that it's just a general rule of thumb, so you shouldn't rely on it to provide a precise figure.
What is the golden rule in real estate? ›
In November, Corcoran appeared on the BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast with her son Tom Higgins to describe two methods she says make up her “golden rule” of real estate investing: putting down 20% on an investment property and having tenants of that property paying for the mortgage.
How much monthly profit should you make on a rental property? ›
Keep in mind, when it comes to real estate cash flow, calculating your expenses and rental property income will be your number one key to success. Anything around 7% or 8% is the average ROI. However, if you'd really like to succeed, you should always aim higher at around 15%.
What is the 1% rule in habits? ›
The Power of the 1% Rule. Simply put, 1% change each day will add up over the course of your season. 1% is all you need to make a new habit stick. If you relax and give yourself permission to only improve a little each day, then you will begin to see big strides towards your goal.
When it comes to insuring your home, the 80% rule is an important guideline to keep in mind. This rule suggests you should insure your home for at least 80% of its total replacement cost to avoid penalties for being underinsured.
What is the rule of 20 in real estate? ›
"Possession" requires more than incidental benefit from the public property, but requires actual physical occupation of the property pursuant to rights not granted to the general public; thus, the use of property such as hallways, common areas, and access roads at airports, stadiums, convention centers, or other public ...
What is 50 rule in real estate? ›
The 50% rule or 50 rule in real estate says that half of the gross income generated by a rental property should be allocated to operating expenses when determining profitability. The rule is designed to help investors avoid the mistake of underestimating expenses and overestimating profits.
What is the 5 2 rule in real estate? ›
During the 5 years before you sell your home, you must have at least: 2 years of ownership and. 2 years of use as a primary residence.
What is the 25 rule in real estate? ›
To calculate how much house you can afford based on your salary, use the 25% rule—never spend more than 25% of your monthly take-home pay (after tax) on monthly mortgage payments. That includes your mortgage principal, interest, property taxes, home insurance, PMI and HOA fees.
How do you use the 70 rule in real estate? ›
Basically, the rule says real estate investors should pay no more than 70% of a property's after-repair value (ARV) minus the cost of the repairs necessary to renovate the home. The ARV of a property is the amount a home could sell for after flippers renovate it.
What is the 1 percent rule markets? ›
The rule states that the monthly rent of a property should be at least 1% of its purchase price. For example, if a property is purchased for $200,000, the monthly rent should ideally be $2,000 or more. The 1 percent rule is a useful tool for investors to assess a property's potential cash flow quickly and effortlessly.
What is the 80 20 rule real estate? ›
What is the 80/20 Rule exactly? It's the idea that 80% of outcomes are driven from 20% of the input or effort in any given situation. What does this mean for a real estate professional? Making more money in real estate is directly tied to focusing your personal energy on the most high value areas of your business.
