Free strategy comparison
One property. Six strategies. One decision.
Change the operating strategy without rebuilding the acquisition, financing, tax, insurance, or exit assumptions from scratch.
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Compare strategiesDirect answer
What this calculator does
The most useful way to compare real estate strategies is to keep property, acquisition, financing, and exit assumptions consistent while changing only the revenue and operating logic that belongs to each strategy.
Worked example
Follow the assumptions into the result.
Illustrative inputs only—not a property recommendation. Replace every assumption with verified numbers before making a decision.
This example is generated from DealCooker’s calculation engine during the site build, so the displayed outputs stay tied to the product’s math.
What DealCooker models
Change an assumption. See the whole deal move.
- 01Shared acquisition and financing assumptions
- 02Strategy-specific revenue and operating expenses
- 03Cash flow, DSCR, ROI, IRR, equity, and exit cash
When the deal misses
Don’t stop at “no.”
Test the supported levers.
DealCooker can test a lower purchase price and, when applicable, a larger down payment against the active strategy’s workout logic. It does not optimize interest rates, points, loan products, or every financing term.
Calculation methodology
How DealCooker models this strategy
DealCooker uses one acquisition model, then runs strategy-specific income, vacancy, fee, reserve, rehab, refinance, financing, and sale logic. This makes differences in outputs traceable to the strategy assumptions instead of separate spreadsheets.
Read the full methodology and metric definitions ↗Questions answered
What investors ask about Compare strategies
Which real estate strategy has the best return?
There is no universal winner. A strategy with higher modeled return may also require more operating work, regulation, capital, volatility, or execution risk. Compare outputs and assumptions together.
Why use the same property assumptions across strategies?
Holding purchase price, financing, taxes, insurance, and exit assumptions constant makes it easier to see whether the operating strategy—not a hidden input change—drives the result.
Can DSCR be compared across every strategy?
DealCooker calculates modeled debt coverage for income-producing strategies, but lender definitions and acceptable thresholds vary by property and loan program.
Should the highest IRR determine the decision?
No. IRR is one modeled return measure. Liquidity, downside risk, workload, legal constraints, financing certainty, and confidence in each assumption also matter.
Primary references
Sources behind the context
DealCooker’s formulas come from its tested calculation engine. These external references support definitions, diligence reminders, or operating context—not the worked-example assumptions. Sources checked 2026-07-24.
- Fannie Mae Multifamily Guide — Debt Service Coverage RatioDSCR compares property net cash flow with required debt payments.
- Fannie Mae Selling Guide — Rental IncomeGross rent alone is not the same as usable net rental income; vacancy and ongoing expenses matter.
- IRS Publication 544 — Sales and Other Dispositions of AssetsOfficial federal guidance on tax treatment when property is sold; DealCooker does not calculate tax liability.
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