How many properties do you analyze before finding the one? (Genuine curiosity)

[Roman Ripp]

Background on me: I'm a software engineer and I invest in rentals on the side. Lately I've been obsessing over the deal funnel specifically, how much time goes into properties that were never going to work.

My rough ratio:

- Scan 50–60 listings to find ~5 worth a closer look

- Run numbers on those 5

- Maybe 1 is worth a real offer

The analysis step is the killer. By the time I've pulled rent comps, modeled cash flow at current rates, estimated any rehab I've spent 30–45 minutes on a property that was never close. At 7%+ interest, almost nothing on the MLS pencils out anyway, so most of that time is wasted.

The frustration got bad enough that I eventually built a small tool for myself basically something that screens against my buy box fast so I'm only running full numbers on properties that have a real shot. It cut my analysis time down significantly for my specific criteria.

I'm now thinking about turning it into a proper product, but before I go down that road I want to be honest with myself: is this actually a widespread problem, or did I just over-engineer a personal quirk?

So genuine questions for the people here who are actively analyzing deals:

1. What's your typical analysis-to-offer ratio?

2. Where does the most time go finding candidates, or running the numbers once you have them?

3. Would you pay for a tool that filtered against your buy box before you dive deeper?

Happy to share more about what I built if anyone's curious. Not selling anything — just doing my homework before I commit to building this.

[John Morgan]

I have 39 buy n hold properties and hardly analyze when I buy. Takes me less than 2 minutes to analyze a deal. I look on Zillow to compare apples to apples to other homes for sale and rentals in that area, then jump on deals right away if the numbers work. I’ve never over complicated things or over analyzed. It takes two seconds to do back of the napkin math on a deal. Real estate definitely isn’t rocket science. lol. If the numbers work then jump on it right now. Don’t wait. For example, someone texted me an off market deal last week. It took me less than a minute to look on Zillow to see comps in the area. I liked it, so I picked up the phone and called the seller. I made an offer and she accepted. The whole process took me less than 5 minutes. lol.

And I have a buy box so I focus on only a handful of areas. I check Zillow frequently for homes for sale in those areas. I scan homes for sale in these areas and can tell right away if they are good deals or not. Don’t over complicate things.