Ran the Numbers but Nothing Cash Flows? What to Do Next (Rookie Reply)

So you ran the numbers and the cash flow shows negative? You don’t have to give up on rentals. With a few smarter assumptions, the right strategy, or the right market, you can turn “this will never work” into a deal that actually pays you!Welcome back to another Rookie Reply! Today’s first rookie has analyzed three to four dozen small multifamily properties. Even at 20% below asking, almost none of them cash flow on day one. We narrow it down to three possibilities: are you being too conservative with your expenses, is the 1% rule out of reach in your market, or is it time to pivot? We show you how to stress-test your vacancy, maintenance, and CapEx numbers, and walk through the real fix.If the numbers don’t work, don’t force them. There’s a better path to your first deal! Ashley: Today’s rookie reply is about knowing your constraints before you buy. Sometimes a deal looks bad because your assumptions are wrong. Other times your assumptions are right and the deal really does not work. Tony: We also have a TN visa holder who wants to invest without crossing legal lines and a rookie with limited capital, wondering when to bring in a lawyer, a CPA, and a property manager. Ashley: This...