How Much Cash Flow Should Your Rentals Make?

Episode #1233 Try REsimpli, The Only All-In-One Real Estate Investor CRM Software That Helps You Manage Data, Marketing, Sales, and Operations: https://resimpli.com/biggerpockets/ Every new real estate investor asks one question: *How much cash flow should my rental property make?* For years, you’d hear things like “$200 per month per door” or “it has to hit the 1% rule”. But with so many of these rules outdated, we need a *2026 refresh on real estate cash flow.* In today’s housing market, what is good cash flow for a rental property? *This is how much your rental properties should cash flow each month to help you reach financial freedom.* We’ll show you exactly *how to calculate cash flow*, the cash flow goal Dave personally sets for his portfolio, and when a property doesn’t need to cash flow based on other crucial factors. Plus, how to create your “worst case scenario” when analyzing a rental property, so even if everything goes wrong all at once, you’ll still be able to pay your mortgage, keep your rental going, and not lose sleep. *Is the cash flow you’re making enough, or are you falling behind?* We’re sharing it all in this episode. Episode Show Notes: https://lnk.to/biggerpocketsYT Join BiggerPockets for FREE 👇 https://www.biggerpockets.com/signup?utm_source=owned_media 🎉Join us at the BiggerPockets Conference October 2-4 in Orlando. Buy tickets: https://biggerpockets.com/bpcon2026 Let Us Know What You Thought of the Show! https://www.BiggerPockets.com/Podcastfeedback Grab Dave’s Book, _Real Estate by the Numbers_ : https://store.biggerpockets.com/products/real-estate-by-the-numbers?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Sign Up for the BiggerPockets Real Estate Newsletter: https://www.biggerpockets.com/email-subscribe?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Find an Investor-Friendly Agent in Your Area: http://biggerpockets.com/agentmatch Cash Flow For Rental Properties: What is Average or Good? https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rental-property-cash-flow-analysis?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none Connect with Dave: https://www.biggerpockets.com/users/davem27?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=none 00:00 Intro 01:38 The REAL Cash Flow Formula 02:37 Better Than Cash Flow? 05:10 Sponsor: REsimpli! 05:51 How Much Cash Flow Should You Make? 10:59 Calculating Your Cash Flow Goal 13:40 Cash Flow vs. Appreciation 15:50 This Will Protect You