Break Even… or Break Through?

When It Actually Makes Sense to Buy a Property That Just Breaks Even

Most investors panic when the spreadsheet says “break even.” But here’s the thing: break even today doesn’t mean break even forever. Rents rise. Mortgages don’t. If you can lock in a fixed rate and hold long enough for rents to climb, you’re not losing money—you’re building a runway.

I’ve bought multiple properties that looked boring on day one but became golden by year three. The trick is understanding rent appreciation, tax benefits, and principal paydown as part of the total return—not just cash flow.

So before you walk away from that “meh” deal, ask yourself: would Future You thank Present You for locking in that long-term asset? Odds are, the answer’s yes.