Real estate investing, explained.
Plain-language guides and a glossary for analyzing rental and fix-and-flip deals. The same metrics CapScout computes on every listing, broken down so you can run them yourself.
Guides
How to analyze a rental property, step by step
How do you analyze a rental property?
GuideHow to build a buy box for real estate investing
How do you build a buy box for real estate investing?
GuideHow to calculate cap rate (with a worked example)
How do you calculate cap rate?
GuideHow do you know if a rental property is a good investment?
How do you know if a rental property is a good investment?
GuideHow to run comps on a property (sales and rental)
How do you run comps on a property?
GuideHow to underwrite a BRRRR deal, step by step
How do you underwrite a BRRRR deal?
Comparisons
Best AI real estate analysis tools (2026): what's real, what's a label
What are the best AI real estate analysis tools?
ComparisonBest real estate investment software (2026): 7 tools, by what they replace
What is the best real estate investment analysis software?
ComparisonCapScout vs BiggerPockets: AI underwriting vs. calculators and community (2026)
What's the difference between CapScout and BiggerPockets?
ComparisonCapScout vs DealCheck: AI underwriting vs. a deal calculator (2026)
What's the difference between CapScout and DealCheck?
ComparisonCapScout vs Mashvisor: market discovery vs. deal underwriting (2026)
What's the difference between CapScout and Mashvisor?
ComparisonDealCheck alternatives: 6 real estate analysis tools compared (2026)
What are the best alternatives to DealCheck?
Comparison7 Mashvisor alternatives for rental analysis (2026)
What are the best alternatives to Mashvisor?
ComparisonBest tools to search listings by cap rate and cash flow (2026)
What tools let you search property listings by cap rate or cash flow?
Markets
Gross rental yield by ZIP code, measured from live listing inventory on both sides: what is for sale against what is asking to rent. New metros appear as our coverage of them deepens.
Using CapScout
How to search a market by cap rate, rent-to-price or ARV ratio in CapScout
How do you search a whole market for rentals that meet a cap rate target in CapScout?
HelpHow to search listings by ARV ratio in CapScout
How do you search for flips by ARV ratio in CapScout?
HelpHow to send an investor client a branded analysis in CapScout
How do you send an investor client a property analysis under your own brand in CapScout?
Calculators
For agent teams
Written for agents and small brokerages whose clients are investors. See the Team plan →
Best CRM for real estate agents who work with investors (2026)
What is the best CRM for a real estate agent whose clients are investors?
ComparisonCapScout vs InvestorLift: serving a buyer vs selling a list (2026)
Is a dispositions marketplace the right place to keep my investor clients?
ComparisonCapScout vs Privy: which one tracks a buy box per client (2026)
Which tool tracks a separate buy box for each investor client?
ComparisonCapScout vs RealScout: investor underwriting vs buyer collaboration (2026)
What is the difference between CapScout and RealScout?
ComparisonCapScout vs REI Stream: agent book vs wholesaler lead flow (2026)
How do I track which properties I sent each investor client, and what they said?
ComparisonBuilding an investor CRM in Attio or Pipedrive: what breaks (2026)
Can you build an investor CRM in a general CRM like Attio or Pipedrive?
For property managers
Written for the operator rather than the individual investor: door economics, what to send an owner before they buy, and an honest read on the software this segment is sold. See the full set →
Software property managers use to help owners buy rentals (2026)
What software do property managers use to help owners buy rentals?
ComparisonBlanket alternatives: 6 tools for property managers who serve investors (2026)
What are the alternatives to Blanket for property managers?
ComparisonCapScout vs Blanket for property managers (2026)
What is the difference between CapScout and Blanket for property managers?
ComparisonRentvine integrations for investor services: what exists in 2026
What Rentvine integrations help a property manager serve investor clients?
ComparisonWhite-label investment analysis reports for property managers (2026)
What software gives property managers a white-label investment analysis report?
GuideHow much should a property manager charge for acquisition advisory?
How much should a property manager charge for investment acquisition advisory?
GuideHow to build an acquisitions arm inside a property management company
How do you add an acquisitions or brokerage arm to a property management company?
GuideHow to help your property management clients buy more rental properties
How can a property manager help clients buy more rental properties?
GuideHow to present an investment property deal to a client
How should you present an investment property deal to an investor client?
GuideHow to share an investment property analysis with a client
How should a property manager share an investment property analysis with a client?
GuideHow to work with out-of-state real estate investors
How should a property manager work with out-of-state real estate investors?
GuideWhat should a property manager send an investor before they buy?
What should a property manager send an investor before they buy a rental property?
TermBuy box
What is a buy box in real estate investing?
TermDoor
What is a door in property management?
TermInvestor-services property management
What is an investor-services property management company?
TermPre-purchase analysis
What is a pre-purchase rental property analysis?
Glossary
1031 Exchange
What is a 1031 exchange?
TermAI investment score
What is an AI investment score for a rental or flip?
TermARV (After-Repair Value)
What is ARV in real estate?
TermBRRRR Method
What is the BRRRR method in real estate investing?
TermCap rate
What is a cap rate in real estate?
TermCash-on-cash return
What is cash-on-cash return?
TermComparables (Comps)
What are real estate comps (comparables)?
TermDSCR (Debt-Service Coverage Ratio)
What is DSCR in real estate?
TermGross yield
What is gross yield on a rental property?
TermNet operating income (NOI)
What is net operating income (NOI) in real estate?
TermScoutScore
What is a ScoutScore on a listing?
TermScoutSense
What is ScoutSense?
TermThe 1% rule (rent-to-price ratio)
What is the 1% rule in real estate?
TermThe 70% rule
What is the 70% rule in house flipping?
TermVacancy Rate
What is vacancy rate and why does it matter for rental properties?