Skip to main content
All CollectionsFAQs
Glossary of Terms
Glossary of Terms

This article defines industry and product terms that users may encounter while utilizing Mashvisor's tools

Ramonelle Zaragoza avatar
Written by Ramonelle Zaragoza
Updated over 3 weeks ago

Airbnb API

An application programming interface (API) that enables developers and platforms to access and integrate Airbnb data and functionalities (such as listings, bookings, and reviews) into third-party applications.

Airbnb Calculator

An Airbnb Calculator is a tool for analyzing a property's short-term rental performance based on its neighborhood, city, or ZIP code. It provides insights into key metrics such as average nightly rates, occupancy rates, and overall market trends, helping investors assess the potential profitability of a property as an Airbnb rental.

Airbnb Cleaning Fee

An expense related to cleaning, maintaining, and preparing a property for new guests. This may be covered by the Airbnb host or passed on to the guest.

Airbnb Comps

Comparable Airbnb listings in the same area used to evaluate performance metrics (such as average nightly rate, occupancy, and revenue) and to benchmark a property’s potential.

Airbnb Data

A collection of information from Airbnb, including listing details, pricing, occupancy rates, reviews, and other performance metrics. These help investors analyze market trends and rental potential.

Airbnb Host

An individual or entity that lists and rents out their property on Airbnb. Their responsibilities include managing bookings, communicating with guests, and maintaining the property.

Airbnb Hosting Fee

A fee charged by Airbnb to the host for using the platform. This fee is usually a percentage of the booking subtotal and covers costs such as processing payments and providing support.

Amenities

Features or services offered by a property (e.g., WiFi, pool, parking) that can enhance guest comfort and affect rental attractiveness and pricing.

Base Price

The initial nightly rate set by the host before any adjustments from dynamic pricing algorithms. It acts as the foundation upon which market-driven fluctuations are applied.

Bike Score

A numerical rating (on a 1 to 100 scale) that indicates how friendly an area is to bicyclists based on factors like bike lanes, hills, and road connectivity.

Calendar Sync

A tool that automatically updates and aligns booking calendars across multiple platforms (such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo) to prevent double bookings and ensure availability is current.

Cap Rate

Measures the rate of return on a rental property based on the income it generates relative to its purchase price or market value.

  • 2% to 4% cap rate - safe investment but expect low returns (acceptable for very stable markets like big cities as well as luxury properties)

  • 5% to 7% cap rate - expect balanced returns vs. risk (long-term investors consider these rates acceptable)

  • 8% and up - expect high returns but also higher risks (usually common in emerging or lower-demand markets)

Cap Rate Formula

Cap rate = (Net operating income / Property value) x 100

Cash Flow

The net amount of money generated from a rental property after all operating expenses, mortgage payments, taxes, and other costs have been deducted from gross rental income. It measures profitability and determines the sustainability of the investment.

  • Positive cash flow - you are earning a profit from your investment

  • Negative cash flow - you are losing money and need to reevaluate your rent and/or expenses

Cash Flow Formula

Cash flow = Gross rental income - Total expenses*

*Total Expenses = Operating Expenses + Mortgage Payment

Cash on Cash Return

A metric that shows the annual return made on the cash invested in a property, measuring the cash income earned relative to the cash invested.

Cash on Cash Return Formula

Cash on cash return = (Annual cash flow / Total cash invested) x 100

Cap Rate vs Cash on Cash Return

Cap Rate

Cash on Cash Return

Considers Financing?

No (Assumes Cash Purchase)

Yes (Accounts for Mortgage)

Formula Focus

NOI ÷ Property Value

Cash Flow ÷ Cash Invested

Best For

Evaluating a property's income potential

Measuring actual return on invested cash

Common Use Case

Comparing properties

Assessing leveraged return

Which One Should You Use?

  • Use Cap Rate if you want to compare properties independently of financing.

  • Use CoC Return if you’re buying with a mortgage and want to know your actual return on invested cash.

Channel Manager

Centralizes and automates the management of property listings, reservations, and calendars across multiple booking channels. This reduces manual errors and ensures current availability.

Comps

Short for “comparables,” these are similar properties (in terms of size, location, and features) used to determine a property's market value or rental potential by comparing sale prices, rental incomes, or ADRs.

Crime Rate

A statistical measure of criminal activity in a given area that can influence neighborhood availability and, by extension, property values and rental performance.

Daily Rate/Nightly Rate

The cost charged to rent a property per day or night. This rate is a primary factor in calculating total rental income.

Date Listed

The date a property was first advertised on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service).

Days on Market

The total number of days a property has been actively listed on the market—from initial listing until sale. This metric can indicate market demand and pricing competitiveness.

Dynamic Pricing

A tool that adjusts rental rates in real time based on variables such as demand, seasonality, local events, and occupancy trends. Using this helps maximize revenue and maintain competitive pricing.

For Sale

Indicates that a property is currently listed on the market and available for purchase.

Foreclosure

Indicates that a lender has repossessed a property due to the previous owner’s failure to make mortgage payments, and is typically sold at a discount.

Gross Rental Revenue

The total income generated from renting a property before deducting any expenses. This figure provides an overview of the income potential of the property.

HOA (Homeowners Association)

An organization in a residential community that enforces rules, maintains common areas, and collects regular fees from property owners for community management and upkeep.

Home Value

Refers to the estimated worth of a residential property. It represents the price a property is expected to sell for in the current market. It is determined by various factors, including location, property characteristics, comparable sales, market conditions, and upgrades and improvements.

Hosting Platform/Online Travel Agency (OTA)

An online service (such as Airbnb, Booking.com, or Vrbo) where property owners list their rentals and manage bookings.

Housing Supply

The total number of available residential properties in a given market, affecting both purchase prices and rental rates.

IDX (Internet Data Exchange)

A system that enables real estate brokers to display MLS property listings on their websites. This integration allows real estate professionals and investors to access comprehensive and up-to-date property data—including photos, descriptions, and pricing information—in a user-friendly format directly on their sites.

IDX Website Builder

A tool that enables real estate professionals to create a fully customizable website and showcase MLS property listings through IDX (Internet Data Exchange) feeds, ensuring seamless property search and display for potential buyers.

Investment Property

A real estate asset purchased to generate income or capital appreciation rather than for personal use.

Investment Valuation Score

The Investment Valuation Score is Mashvisor’s proprietary metric that helps you assess the financial potential of a property as a rental investment. It is calculated based on several key factors, each with a weight that determines its impact on the total score:

  • Cash on Cash Return (25%) – Measures how much cash flow you’ll earn based on your initial investment.

  • Cap Rate (35%) – Evaluates the property's profitability based on rental income versus its price.

  • Property Design (15%) – Assesses how appealing the property's layout and features are for renters.

  • Rent Appreciation Rate (15%) – Estimates how much rental income could grow over time.

  • Neighborhood Rating (10%) – Rates the area’s desirability for renters.

These weights indicate the importance of each factor in the overall score calculation. A higher score suggests a strong investment opportunity, while a lower score means the property may not provide high returns.

Landlord Insurance

Insurance coverage designed specifically for rental properties, protecting landlords against property damage, liability claims, loss of rental income, and other risks not covered by standard homeowner policies.

Lead Management

A tool used to track, organize, and follow up with potential buyers, ensuring timely communication and conversion of leads into sales.

Legal for Non-Occupied

A regulatory guideline indicates that the homeowner or host does not need to occupy the property for it to be legal as a short-term rental.

Listing

An advertisement of a property for sale on a real estate platform detailing key information, pricing, photos, and other pertinent details.


Long-Term Rental

A rental agreement typically lasting 12 months or longer. This strategy often results in low turnover and more stable, predictable cash flow than short-term rentals.

Market Finder

Mashvisor’s tool helps investors identify promising real estate markets by analyzing factors like rental demand, pricing trends, and local economic factors.

Market Opportunity Insight

A data-driven overview of rental demand in a selected area, showing the availability, average occupancy rates, and demand level for both Short-Term Rentals (STRs) and Long-Term Rentals (LTRs). Higher demand suggests better investment potential, while occupancy rates indicate how frequently properties are rented.

Mashboard

Mashvisor’s proprietary dashboard for real estate agents. Aside from aggregating key market and property data, it lets agents search for off-market properties and see essential ownership information. It also allows homeowners to list their properties without going through the MLS. This tool streamlines the process of identifying and contacting potential sellers or leads.

Mashmeter/Mashmeter Score/Mashmeter Dynamic Market Score

Mashmeter Score is a dynamic rating that helps investors assess a market’s potential for strong returns. It’s based on key real estate factors like price-to-rent ratio, cash-on-cash returns (STR & LTR), median price, rental demand, occupancy rates, and average daily rates. A higher score indicates a better investment opportunity.

Maximum Price

The upper limit set for rental rates when using dynamic pricing. This cap ensures that the algorithm does not raise prices beyond a level that could reduce competitiveness or occupancy.

Median Listing Price

The middle value of all listing prices within a specific market. It is a key indicator of market trends and property values.

Minimum Price

The lower limit set for rental rates within a dynamic pricing strategy. It ensures that the nightly rates do not drop so low as to undercut profitability or devalue the property.

MLS (Multiple Listing Service)

A comprehensive, cooperative database that real estate brokers use to share information about properties for sale. It facilitates the dissemination of detailed property data—including listing prices, photos, descriptions, and key features—to enable collaboration among brokers and provide buyers with accurate, up-to-date market information.

MLS ID

A unique identifier assigned to a property within the MLS system. Real estate professionals use it to track and reference properties.

Mortgage

A loan used to finance a property’s purchase, where the property itself serves as collateral until the loan is repaid.

Mortgage Calculator

A tool that estimates monthly mortgage payments by considering the loan amount, interest rate, term (years), and sometimes property taxes and insurance.

Multi-Calendar

A feature in the vacation rental software that consolidates calendars from multiple rental platforms into a single view, allowing hosts and property managers to monitor bookings and availability seamlessly.

Occupancy Based Revenue

Income generated by a rental property that directly depends on its occupancy rate. It is typically calculated by multiplying the nightly rate by the number of booked nights.

Occupancy Rate

The percentage of available rental days booked over a specific period. It is a key indicator of a property’s rental performance.

Occupancy Rate Formula

Occupancy rate = (Booked days / Total available days) x 100

Owner Occupied

A property in which the owner lives instead of renting it out.

Pending

A property under contract (an offer has been accepted), but the sale has not yet closed. It is effectively off the market until the deal is finalized.

Property Appreciation

The increase in a property’s value over time due to market conditions, improvements, or other external factors.

Property Finder

Mashvisor’s tool designed to help investors and buyers locate properties that meet specific criteria, such as location, price range, and property type.

Property Manager

A professional or company responsible for the day-to-day management of rental properties, including tenant/guest relations, maintenance, rent collection, and regulatory compliance.

Property Marketplace

Mashvisor’s tool where properties are listed for sale, connecting sellers with buyers.

Property Score (Investment Likelihood)

A proprietary Mashvisor metric that measures how likely a property is to be used as a rental (short-term or long-term). This score is based on whether similar properties have been rented out in the past or are currently being listed as rentals. A higher score means the property has strong rental potential.

Property Type/Type of Property

Real estate classification based on its design, use, and structure, such as single-family homes, multi-family units, condos, or townhouses.

Property Valuation

The estimated market value of a property determined by factors such as comparable rental income, cash flow, cap rate, and other proprietary metrics.

Real Estate

Land and any structures permanently attached to it, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

Real Estate Investor

An individual or entity that purchases real estate to earn a return on investment, either through rental income, property appreciation, or both.

Recurring Expenses

Ongoing costs associated with owning and operating a property, such as mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and management fees.

Regulatory Ranking/Regulations Ranking

A score or ranking that evaluates how local laws and regulations impact the operation and profitability of rental properties, particularly short-term rentals. This metric helps investors understand potential legal risks and operational constraints.

Rental Comps

Comparable rental properties used to assess and benchmark rental rates, occupancy, and overall market performance. These comparisons help in setting competitive rental prices.

Rental Property

A property purchased or managed with the intent to generate rental income. It can be used for short-term (vacation) or long-term rentals.

Rental Revenue/Rental Income

The income generated from renting out a property, typically calculated before deducting expenses. It is a key component in evaluating a property’s profitability.

Rental Strategy

The approach taken by an investor or host to maximize rental income. This usually involves choosing between short-term vacation rentals versus long-term leases.

Rented Days Limit

A regulatory limit on the number of days a property can be rented within a specific period. Local ordinances or homeowner associations often impose such limits to control rental activity.

RevPAR/Revenue per Available Room

A performance metric used primarily in the hospitality industry to measure the revenue generated per available rental unit.

RevPAR Formula

  1. RevPAR = Total revenue / Number of available rooms

  2. RevPAR = Average daily rate (ADR) x Occupancy rate

ROI/Return on Investment

A measure of the profitability of an investment, expressed as a percentage. It shows how much net profit is generated relative to the total investment cost.

ROI Formula

ROI = (Net profit / Total investment) x 100

School Rate

A rating or score reflecting the quality and performance of local schools. High school ratings can be a significant factor in determining neighborhood desirability and property values.

Short-Term Regulations

Local laws and regulations that govern the operation of short-term rental properties, including licensing requirements, occupancy limits, and safety standards.

Short-Term Rental/Vacation Rental

A property rented out for short periods, typically catering to travelers and vacationers. These properties are often fully furnished and managed through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo.

Sold

Indicates that a property has completed the sales process and is no longer available on the market.

Transit Score

A numerical score (on a 1 to 100 scale) that measures the accessibility and quality of public transportation near a property. Higher scores indicate better transit options.

Unified Inbox

A consolidated messaging system in the vacation rental software that aggregates communications from multiple hosting platforms into one central location, simplifying guest communication and management.

Vacancy

A cost representing the loss of potential rental income during periods when the property is unoccupied. Extended vacancies increase the overall payback period for the investment period by reducing cash flow, thereby impacting the profitability and return on investment.

Vacation Rental Software

Software designed to help hosts manage vacation rental properties by automating tasks such as bookings, calendar synchronization, guest communication, and revenue management.

Walk Score

A measure of how walkable an area is based on the proximity and accessibility of amenities such as restaurants, shops, parks, and schools. It is usually scored on a scale from 1 to 100, with higher scores indicating better walkability.

Did this answer your question?