is the formula always to get a half decent looking female and ask her to choose countertops and tile?

It's the basic formula for selling an online course that teaches you nothing you cannot learn on your own.

To calculate deals, use this tried and true formula: ARV (After Repair Value) – Repairs – Your Fee – Investor Profit = Max Offer. 

The MAO formula (max_allowable_offer = 70% of ARV - Repairs) has been around far longer than BiggerPockets.In order to make a profit on a fix-and-flip, you've got to know your rehab costs, but you ALSO have to account for:- Financing costs, including origination and interest payments (unless you're paying cash)- Holding costs, including property taxes, insurance, utilities- Selling costs, including real estate commissions, buyer concessions, closings costsIf you were to pay $78K, put $70K in to rehab, and then spend another $15-20K on financing, holding, and selling costs, you will NOT be seeing $25K profit.Anyone saying different should be required to show you their math! 

You are obligated to provide the oldest verifiable operating statement (base year), which is adjusted into today's dollars (Using an LA City formula for inflation) and this is compared to your current year (yes with receipts, cancelled checks, bank statements, k1's etc), which can be significant. 

The basic formula they use is:Property Value × 80% – Existing Mortgage = Potential HELOC Limit.If that number is under $25K, it’s usually not worth their time.

For example, knowing the formula to evaluate a deal is great but you also need to know what numbers to plug into the formula.

RUBS (Ratio Utility Billing System) is a method of allocating utility costs to tenants using a consistent formula when individual metering is not available.

Business interest deduction increasedThe formula changed from EBIT to EBITDA — meaning you can now deduct more of your loan interest.HUGE win if you're using leverage (BRRRR, multifamily, or syndications especially).If you're buying, renovating, or refinancing this year, make sure your loan and ownership structure set you up to maximize these deductions.Let's help each other build smarter in 2025

@Erik Estrada I acquire property via foreclosure auctions where it is impossible to work with many lenders who want inspections prior to closing and therefore financing is part of the formula of success