Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about the Real Estate Investor Analyzer.

Installation & Setup

Yes! The Real Estate Investor Analyzer is completely free. There are no hidden fees, no premium versions, and no subscriptions. We built it because we believe real estate investors deserve better tools.

The extension works on:
  • Google Chrome (v120+)
  • Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)
  • Brave Browser
  • Any Chromium-based browser
It does not work on Firefox or Safari at this time.

Yes, you need internet to access Zillow and Redfin listings. However, all analysis happens locally in your browser—no data is sent to our servers. Your privacy is always protected.

No. The extension is lightweight and won't slow down your browsing. It only activates when you click the extension icon on a Zillow or Redfin page.
Using the Extension

The extension only works on individual property detail pages on Zillow and Redfin. It won't work on:
  • Search results pages (list of multiple properties)
  • Zillow advertiser pages (sponsored listings sometimes have less data)
  • Off-market or private listings
Solution: Click into any individual property listing, then click the extension icon.

You analyze one property at a time. Here's the workflow:
  1. Go to Property A on Zillow → Click extension → See analysis
  2. Go to Property B on Zillow → Click extension → See analysis
  3. Go back and forth to compare
You can keep the extension open in a popup while browsing, making it easy to jump between properties.

The extension pulls data directly from Zillow and Redfin, so if something looks wrong:
  1. Check the listing on Zillow/Redfin directly
  2. Often the listing data itself has errors
  3. You can manually override any property data before analyzing
Pro Tip: Always verify important numbers (price, property taxes, HOA) from official sources. Real estate data isn't always perfect!
Understanding Your Analysis

Negative cash flow means expenses exceed rental income. Common reasons:
  • High price + Low rent: Property is expensive but doesn't rent for much
  • High expenses: HOA fees, property taxes, or insurance are very high
  • Market conditions: Property appreciates but doesn't cash flow (common in expensive areas)
Is this bad? Not necessarily! If you expect 5% appreciation per year, you might still want the property even with negative cash flow. The analyzer helps you see the full picture.

The analyzer uses smart logic to recommend which strategy makes the most sense:
  • "Excellent...": Strong financials for this strategy
  • "Good...": Viable but not optimal
  • "Not Recommended...": Numbers don't work
Important: This is a suggestion, not gospel. Your final decision should also consider your local market knowledge, personal goals, and risk tolerance.

Rent estimates come from market comparable properties and should be within 10-20% of actual. However:
  • Local market knowledge is crucial (neighborhood desirability, school district)
  • You should always verify by checking local rental listings
  • Income can vary significantly by neighborhood
Pro Tip: When you find a property you like, spend 30 minutes on Zillow or AirBnb to understand the local rental market before investing.
Advanced Questions

Yes! You have two levels of settings:
  1. Global Defaults: Settings that apply to all properties (down payment %, closing costs, etc.)
  2. Per-Property Overrides: When analyzing a specific property, you can override any setting just for that analysis
This is perfect for comparing scenarios: "What if I put 25% down instead of 20% on this one?"

The analyzer focuses on cash flow and ROI from operations. Long-term appreciation depends on:
  • Your local market (typically 2-4% annual)
  • Economic factors
  • Neighborhood trends
How to use this: Use the analyzer to find cash-flowing properties, then research appreciation potential separately. A property that cash flows + appreciates is the holy grail.

Yes! You have two options:
  1. Maintenance Reserve: The analyzer includes a monthly maintenance budget (typically 8-10% of rent). This covers normal wear and tear.
  2. Manual Adjustments: If you know a roof replacement is coming soon, you can manually adjust the monthly costs to add an extra $100-200/month reserve.
Always get a professional inspection! Found a property you like? Hire an inspector ($300-500) before making an offer. It's the best $500 you'll spend.

Privacy First: Your data is NEVER sent to our servers. Here's what happens:
  1. Extension reads property information visible on the current webpage
  2. All analysis happens in YOUR browser
  3. Your settings are saved locally in your browser (localStorage)
  4. You see the results, nothing is transmitted back to us
You have complete control and privacy. No tracking, no analytics, no account required.
Troubleshooting

Try these steps:
  1. Make sure you're on a Zillow or Redfin property detail page (not search results)
  2. Refresh the page (Ctrl+R or Cmd+R)
  3. Check that the extension is enabled: chrome://extensions → Find the extension → Make sure it's toggled ON
  4. Check your extension toolbar (usually top-right of Chrome) — the icon might be hidden
If it still doesn't work, try uninstalling and reinstalling the extension.

Common issues:
  • Property data incomplete: Zillow/Redfin listings sometimes have missing data, triggering default estimates
  • HOA or special taxes: Make sure HOA fees are captured
  • Settings mismatch: Your default settings (20% down, 4% closing) might not match your actual situation
Solution: Manually verify all key data on the listing (purchase price, taxes, HOA), then correct any wrong info in the analyzer.

The extension displays the analysis right in a popup. You can:
  • Take a screenshot: Easiest way to save the analysis
  • Copy the data: Select and copy numbers to paste in a spreadsheet
  • Use your notes: Write down key metrics (monthly cash flow, cap rate, ROI)
For tracking multiple properties, consider keeping a simple spreadsheet with the addresses and key metrics.
Legal & Compliance

The extension is designed for personal, non-commercial analysis of property information you can already see on real estate websites. However, you are responsible for ensuring your use complies with:
  • All applicable laws and regulations in your jurisdiction
  • The Terms of Service of Zillow, Redfin, and any other websites you use with the extension
  • All local, state, and federal real estate laws
Please review the Privacy Policy for more details on legal compliance and user responsibilities.

The extension reads information visible on the webpage when you are browsing, similar to how you would manually read and record property data. It does NOT:
  • Perform automated scraping or crawling
  • Bypass security measures or login requirements
  • Extract data in bulk or systematically
  • Transmit data to external servers or third parties
That said, user compliance is your responsibility. Please review the Terms of Service of any websites you use and ensure your use is compliant.
Still Have Questions?

This guide covers the most common questions. For more help, refer to the Getting Started guide or review the example properties section.

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Documentation Guide

Learn at your own pace. Start with Getting Started, then explore the strategies and metrics sections.