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A Quick Correction
Reader Lori H. caught something important that we missed in Monday’s Airbnb vs VRBO article. In December 2025, Airbnb raised their host service fees to 15.5%. We cited the older ~3% rate, which completely changes the fee comparison. That's not a minor detail—it’s a significant factor in the economics of the platform decision.
We've updated the article with current numbers. You can read the corrected version here. Thanks to Lori for the heads up! This is exactly why reader feedback matters.
—Editors
Accept Break-Even Like It’s a Good Thing
Assume all financed rental properties will break even in the best-case scenario.
I know what the pro forma says.
+$300/month. Maybe $400 if you squint at it just right.
Then reality shows up.
The water heater dies. Property taxes get reassessed. Insurance jumps 40% because… insurance. The AC that was “fine” suddenly isn’t. Your property manager wants another point. The tenant’s dog eats the carpet.
Welcome to real rental ownership.
Here’s the rule: If a financed rental truly breaks even over a full year, you’re doing well.
If you make a little money on top of that, treat it as a bonus.
This isn’t pessimism. It’s operational realism from owning rentals through multiple market cycles.
The investors who struggle are the ones counting on monthly cash flow to fund their lifestyle or cover their mortgage. When the inevitable expenses hit, they panic, cut corners, or sell at the wrong time.
The investors who build wealth understand the actual game:
Appreciation over time
Mortgage pay down funded by tenants
Tax advantages through depreciation
That’s where rentals really make money.
If you need income today, rentals aren’t your vehicle.
If you’re building long-term wealth and can absorb uneven months, rentals are one of the best tools there is.
Just don’t confuse the two strategies.
That spreadsheet promising $400/month in “passive income” isn’t lying—it’s just wildly optimistic about maintenance, vacancy, and the general chaos of owning property.
Assume — even hope for — break-even.
Plan for it.
Budget around it.
Then when you actually clear $200/month one year, you’ll know you’re ahead of the game—rather than wondering why your “passive income” isn’t covering the Tesla payment.
Real estate investing isn't get-rich-quick. But here's what is realistic: structuring one deal per year that you keep instead of flipping or passing on. Do that consistently and you build a portfolio while you're still earning from your primary business. On Feb 21, I'm showing you how to present multiple offers that either close the deal or generate income — subject-to, seller financing, creative terms. Structures that work without massive capital. 90 minutes, $97. Click here to register.
-Roger
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