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The real estate investing world is full of so-called "rules" that promise success, but few are as potentially destructive as the popular 1% rule. As someone who balances being a legacy airline pilot, military instructor, and property investor, I've seen firsthand how this oversimplified formula leads well-meaning investors straight to financial trouble.
Today's property market with interest rates exceeding 7% makes this rule particularly dangerous. Let me walk you through the harsh reality: that $100,000 property generating $1,000 monthly might seem promising on paper, but once you factor in mortgage payments ($700+), property management (10%), property taxes ($300+), and utilities ($100+), you're operating at a loss before any maintenance issues even arise. And they will arise – no property exists without eventually needing a new roof, furnace, or major repair.
I share a concrete example from my own portfolio to illustrate what actually works: a $68,000 property generating $1,100 monthly rent (far exceeding the 1% threshold). This substantial margin provides the breathing room necessary for real-world property ownership. The investors who succeed don't blindly follow formulas – they meticulously analyze cash-on-cash returns after accounting for all expenses, both predictable and unpredictable.
If you're serious about building wealth through real estate, you need to look beyond simplistic rules and understand the complete financial picture. When someone tries selling you on a property because "it meets the 1% rule," they're counting on your inexperience. Join me as I continue sharing lessons learned the hard way, so you don't have to experience the same painful and expensive education. Subscribe now for regular insights that cut through the myths and reveal what really drives successful property investing.