Napkin Math for Real Estate Analysis

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Ever feel like you're drowning in spreadsheets and second-guessing your real estate investment decisions? What if analyzing a property could be as simple as glancing at your watch?
Today, I'm pulling back the curtain on my actual process for evaluating potential investment properties in under five minutes. As a full-time pilot and part-time real estate investor, I've had to develop systems that maximize efficiency without sacrificing accuracy. I walk through a real single-family property that I viewed just this morning—from the initial asking price of $79,000 to our final negotiated price of $74,000, and everything in between.
You'll discover exactly what I look for when walking through a property (hint: focus on the big-ticket items like roofs, mechanicals, kitchens, and bathrooms) and how I quickly estimate renovation costs without overthinking. I break down this property's projected monthly cash flow of $446, showing how a $30,000 investment (including down payment and renovations) can generate a healthy 17% cash-on-cash return.
This no-fluff approach strips away the complexity that keeps many would-be investors paralyzed. Whether you're evaluating your first deal or your fiftieth, you'll appreciate this back-to-basics method that relies on what I call "napkin math"—straightforward calculations that cut through analysis paralysis and get to the heart of what makes a deal work or not.
Got questions about my approach or want to share how you evaluate properties? Drop a comment below—I personally respond to all feedback, whether it's about the real estate content or suggestions for improving these videos. Your input helps make this channel better for everyone looking to build wealth through property investment.

Chapters

1. Deal Analysis Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Breaking Down the Numbers (00:01:40)

3. What to Look for in Properties (00:03:51)

4. Target Returns and Final Thoughts (00:05:42)