Long-Term RentalsFind Long-Term Rental Properties That Cash Flow.
I help investors evaluate rental demand, comparable rents, expenses, and potential cash flow — so you buy a property that fits your portfolio, not just one that looks good on paper.
Call/Text 703-343-6660How I Help
- Identify areas with strong, stable rental demand across Northern Virginia.
- Evaluate comparable rents and vacancy risk.
- Estimate expenses — taxes, insurance, HOA, maintenance, and management.
- Screen cash flow and cash-on-cash return before you commit.
- Operator/investor perspective on what makes a good long-term hold.
What Is a Long-Term Rental Investment?
A long-term rental is a property leased to a tenant for a year or more at a time. It's the most stable form of real estate investing — predictable monthly income, lower turnover, and simpler operations than short-term rentals. The trade-off is lower gross rent per night, so the numbers have to work the old-fashioned way: rent minus expenses minus mortgage equals cash flow.
1. Find the Market
Target neighborhoods with stable rental demand, good schools, and access to transit and employers. Demand drives everything else.
2. Underwrite the Rent
Pull comparable rents for similar properties nearby. A realistic rent number — not a hopeful one — is the foundation of the deal.
3. Run the Expenses
Account for taxes, insurance, HOA, maintenance, CapEx reserves, management, vacancy, and utilities. Underestimating expenses kills cash flow.
4. Screen & Hold
Place a qualified tenant, manage the property, and let it cash flow. Long-term rentals are a slow build — consistency beats speculation.
Key Metrics Every Landlord Should Understand
Long-term rentals are a numbers game. Screen every deal with the same core metrics.
Net Operating Income
Gross rent minus operating expenses (before debt service). The core measure of a property's profitability.
Capitalization Rate
NOI divided by purchase price. A quick way to compare rental yields across properties.
Cash-on-Cash Return
Annual cash flow divided by cash invested. What you actually earn on the money you put in.
Debt Service Coverage Ratio
NOI divided by debt payment. Lenders want to see 1.25+ to approve investment financing.
Run the Numbers Before You Buy.
A detailed long-term rental calculator — financing, income, vacancy, operating expenses, NOI, cap rate, DSCR, and cash-on-cash return. Estimate only — not financial advice.
Rental Analysis
Estimated Monthly Cash Flow
-$259
- Down Payment
- $106,250
- Loan Amount
- $318,750
- Monthly P&I
- $2,067
- Gross Rent/mo
- $2,950
- Vacancy Loss
- $148
- Effective Gross Income
- $2,803
- Operating Expenses
- $994
- NOI (Monthly)
- $1,808
- DSCR
- 0.87
- Cash Invested
- $112,250
Want Jason to Analyze a Rental Property?
Share the property and your numbers — Jason will pull comparable rents and stress-test the cash flow with you.
Where Rental Deals Go Wrong
Most rental losses come from optimistic assumptions made before the purchase. Here's what to watch for.
- Using the listed rent instead of verified comparable rents.
- Skipping a CapEx reserve — roofs and HVAC don't break on a schedule, but they do break.
- Underestimating vacancy, especially in higher-turnover neighborhoods.
- Forgetting management costs because you plan to self-manage (your time has value).
- Buying for appreciation instead of cash flow — long-term rentals should pay you monthly.
Found a Rental Property to Analyze?
Send me the address. I'll pull comparable rents, check the expenses, and help you see if it actually cash flows.
Questions
Can you help me find a long-term rental property?+
Yes. Jason helps investors identify properties with strong rental demand and evaluate the rents, expenses, and cash flow before you buy.
How do you analyze a rental property?+
Use the calculator below to screen deals, then ask Jason to run a deeper analysis on a specific property — rents, expenses, vacancy, and cash-on-cash return.