Library · Guides & resources
Form RET-000 · 2026
Real Estate Guides
Practical, data-driven guides for homebuyers, investors, and homeowners. Each guide includes worked examples with real numbers and links to the calculators that power the analysis.
How Cap Rates Differ by Market: A 2026 Guide
Why cap rates range from 3% in NYC to 10% in secondary markets — and what that means for your investment.
How to Remove PMI: Timeline, Rules, and Strategies
When PMI falls off automatically, how to request early removal, and strategies to reach 20% equity faster.
Understanding Your Mortgage Amortization Schedule
How amortization works, why early payments are mostly interest, and how extra payments save you hundreds of thousands.
Rent vs Buy: The Complete Decision Framework for 2026
The real costs of each, the break-even timeline, and when renting actually wins over buying.
Home Renovation ROI: Which Improvements Actually Pay Off
ROI by project type, what kills returns, and how to decide between fixing up and selling as-is.
The True Cost of Buying a Home: Beyond the Down Payment
Full breakdown of closing costs, ongoing costs, and the hidden expenses buyers forget about.
The BRRRR Strategy Explained: Numbers, Risks, and Real Examples
Step-by-step BRRRR process with worked examples, the 70% rule, and when the strategy actually works.
1031 Exchange: Rules, Deadlines, and Practical Strategies
The strict 45/180-day rules, like-kind requirements, worked examples, and common mistakes to avoid.