Is That Rental a Good Deal? How to Calculate Cap Rate (With a Calculator)
The cap rate formula in plain English, a worked example, what to leave out of NOI, and a free calculator you can use right on the page.
Rental properties
I manage my own rental properties in South Texas. These are the guides I wanted when I started: how to keep the records straight during the year so that tax season is mostly copying totals. They are general guides, not tax advice.
13 entries ~33 min of reading
Latest
Nov 10, 2026
2026 13 entries
Was That Hole Already There? A Move-In and Move-Out Inspection Checklist for Landlords
A room-by-room rental inspection checklist you can print or copy, plus how to document condition so security deposit deductions hold up at move-out.
Do You Owe Your Plumber a 1099? What Landlords Need to Know for 2026
When a landlord has to file a 1099-NEC for a plumber or handyman, the new $2,000 threshold for 2026 payments, the January deadline, and the W-9 habit that makes it easy.
What Did You Forget to Deduct? A Rental Property Expense Checklist
A checklist of common rental property deductions, the costs that aren't deductible right away, and the records to keep so nothing gets missed at tax time.
Where Did This Year's Numbers Go? How to Fill Out Schedule E for a Rental Property
A plain-English walkthrough of Schedule E Part I for landlords: which numbers go on which line, what trips people up, and how to have them ready before tax season.
"No Hot Water": How to Track Maintenance Requests So Nothing Gets Lost
A simple way to log, prioritize and follow up on rental repairs, from the first tenant text to the paid invoice.
Who Was That Plumber Again? How to Keep Track of Rental Contractors
Keep every contractor, job and payment in one list so you can find the right person fast and know what you've paid them.
How to Keep Track of Leases and Late Rent as a Self-Managing Landlord
Know who's paid, who's late and which lease ends next without a spreadsheet or a memory test.
How to Track Rental Property Expenses (Without Dreading Tax Time)
A simple routine for logging rental expenses by property, unit and category so you're never hunting for receipts in the spring.
Getting Better, Swamped at Work, and a Summer Birthday on the Books
Recovering from being sick, getting buried at work, replacing an A/C at the Alton apartment, enjoying time with the kids, and locking in a beach Airbnb for a birthday trip this summer
I Finally Published Real Estate Manager
After building it over the holidays, my property management app for small landlords is officially out. Here is what it does and why I built it.
Shipping Code, Unclogging Pipes: Late January Check-in
iOS app finally launched on my phone, rental property surprises, and balancing the work grind with ski trip dreams
Week Ending Jan 18: Recognition, Rocks, and Big Decisions
Got praised at work, dealt with property chaos, and my son turned one. Plus that house decision is still eating at me.
