Somewhere in Dallas right now, there are nearly 1,000 multifamily properties where 100% of net operating income goes straight to debt service. Not profit. Not reserves. Not investor distributions. Just keeping the loan alive. And in most cases, the property itself is fine. Occupancy is stable. Rents are being collected. The operator is doing...
Ken McElroy’s Real Estate Edge
Direct from the desk of Ken McElroy! Your trusted source for up-to-date real estate insights, financial literacy, and actionable investing solutions.
What the Jobs Report Doesn’t Tell You
May 13, 20260
The Labor Department reported 115,000 jobs added in April. Markets liked it. But talk to anyone actually looking for work and they’ll tell you nobody’s hiring. So which is it? Here’s what most people don’t know about how these numbers get made. The BLS releases an initial number on the first Friday of the following...
In multifamily investing, it’s easy to get lost in numbers. Between cap rates, pro formas, and projections, investors are often presented with more data than clarity. But successful investing doesn’t come from tracking every metric-it comes from focusing on the right ones. In 2026, where margins are tighter and assumptions are being tested, a handful of key metrics determine whether a...
Cap rates have long been the shorthand for evaluating real estate deals. They’re simple, widely used, and easy to compare across markets. But in today’s environment, relying on cap rates alone is one of the fastest ways to misprice risk. In 2026, where debt costs, rent growth, and operating expenses are all shifting, cap rates tell only a fraction...
Real estate rewards patience-but it punishes ignorance. The difference between experienced investors and everyone else isn’t just deal selection; it’s the ability to read markets before they turn. In 2026, as supply surges, debt tightens, and migration patterns shift, the ability to spot a failing market early has become one of the most valuable skills in real estate investing. Those who recognize the...
For more than a decade, real estate investors operated in an environment where debt was an advantage. Cheap capital, rising asset values, and easy refinancing made leverage a powerful tool for growth. But that environment has changed. In 2026, debt is no longer a tailwind—it’s the single most important risk factor in real estate investing....
When Should You Sell a Rental Property?
April 1, 20260
One of the most important-and misunderstood-decisions in real estate is knowing when to exit. Most investors default to selling when prices rise, but that’s not always the smartest move. The real question is not “Can I sell?” but “Should I sell?” The answer depends on cash flow, tax implications, and future opportunity cost. Understanding when to sell rental property requires a shift...
The Truth About Passive Income in Real Estate
March 30, 20260
“Make passive income while you sleep” is one of the most overused promises in real estate. It sounds appealing-and partially true-but often misunderstood. The reality is that passive income real estate is not created by buying property; it is created by structuring and managing it correctly. According to Federal Reserve (2024), real estate remains one of the most...
Why Flipping Is NOT Wealth Building
March 30, 20260
House flipping is often marketed as the fastest way to make money in real estate. The formula sounds simple-buy, renovate, sell. But simplicity hides risk. The reality is that house flipping risks are increasing in today’s U.S. market, where margins are tightening and costs are rising. According to ATTOM’s 2024 U.S. Home Flipping Report, profitability has declined compared...
One of the most important forces in the economy isn’t interest rates, inflation, or even unemployment. It’s liquidity. And right now, I don’t think enough people are paying attention to what’s happening with it. The basic definition of liquidity is how quickly and easily something can be converted to cash without a significant loss in...
