Quote from makloda:
How does the income side of the deals look for investors now? Say I own a 2 BR middle class house in an average neighbourhood. Let's say this house has a value of $400k. What rent income could I generate annually, assuming I'll have it rented out 90% of the next 520 weeks. What does one usually deduct for maintenance, insurance and any other costs in a calculation like that? Maybe 5-7% of annual income?
In other words: How many years of income do you have to generate until the house returns its investment? Anything over 12 years is not a good investment in my book. Good deals are 8, 9 maybe 10 years or less. 5, 6 years I'd consider a steal, depending on the level of risk. This goes not only for real estate, but for any investment IMO (buying businesses, starting a franchise etc.).
IMO when looking at rents and looking from the income side you will always have a good idea of what a house should be worth. If the market is commanding higher prices than that, then don't buy (yet). If you find bargains at 6-8 times annual income then it might be a good deal.