We've touched on this, but it deserves its own focus. This is the most important profit center for a new investor. It is the predictable, recurring income your property generates after every single bill is paid. It's the money that hits your bank account each month. Positive cash flow is your safety net. It covers unexpected expenses and proves your investment thesis is sound. A property with zero or negative cash flow is not an investment; it's a liability.
Each month, a portion of the mortgage payment your tenant makes goes towards paying down the principal balance of your loan. This is called amortization. In the early years of a 30-year loan, this amount is sma