Guides for multifamily buyers and rental owners

Buying multifamily

Underwrite conservatively, read a deal memo, and compare your offer band with the asking price.

What's in a multifamily deal memoWhat a multifamily deal memo covers, section by section: NOI build, offer band vs. asking price, deal structures, records check and next steps, with sample pages.How to underwrite a fourplex conservativelyUnderwrite a fourplex conservatively in 9 steps: current rents, vacancy, re-assessed taxes, an expense floor, reserves and a DSCR loan test, with a worked example.Offer band vs. asking priceHow an offer band (open, target, walk-away) differs from the asking price, how to build one from a conservative NOI and cap rates, and how to use it.

Owning a rental: repair triage

What is urgent, what can wait, and what to tell tenants first.

Emergency? Call 911 or the utility first. If there is a gas smell, fire, smoke, electrical sparking or flooding, get everyone to safety and call 911 or the gas or electric utility's emergency line before anything else. Then contact the landlord.

Is a water heater leak an emergency? A landlord triage guideWhen a leaking water heater is an emergency, what tenants should do first, and what landlords should do next. Gas smell or flooding: call 911 or the utility first.No heat in a rental: what landlords should do firstNo heat in a rental unit: safe checks for tenants, why cold-weather heat calls are urgent, temporary heat safety, and what landlords should do first.Tenant smells gas? What landlords should tell themIf a tenant smells gas: leave now, avoid sparks, and call 911 or the gas utility from outside. What to tell tenants ahead of time and what owners do after.

Doorcount Repair Desk gives tenants one link for repair requests. Every form starts with the emergency notice, then it sorts urgent problems from what can wait and drafts your replies. Free plan for one small rental.

Try the tenant form →How Repair Desk works

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: Doorcount underwriting is intentionally conservative and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not investment, legal, tax, or financial advice, and it is not a recommendation to buy, sell, bid on, or finance any property. Before making any decision, you must perform your own underwriting using multiple independent sources (including your own lender, inspector, appraiser, title company, attorney, and local market experts). Doorcount accepts no responsibility or liability for any action taken or decision made based on its underwriting or content. Doorcount is not responsible for the accuracy of this document as applied to your individual market. All figures are estimates.

Please note: This page is general information for rental owners, not legal advice, and it does not replace a licensed plumber, HVAC technician, electrician, the gas utility or emergency services. Rules on repairs, heat and notice periods vary by state and city; check your local code and your lease. Repair Desk organizes maintenance requests and suggests a priority. It does not inspect properties, contact anyone for you or replace emergency services.