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How To Enter Historical Property Data

Set yourself up for success with accurate metrics and performance tracking.

Updated over 3 weeks ago

Entering your historical acquisition, capital expenses, and loan data will help refine your dashboard insights and financial reporting.

Confirm Acquisition Details

Why it matters: Ensures your Property and Portfolio dashboards reflect accurate Cash-on-Cash return and other performance metrics.

To update your property details:

  1. Go to your Property Dashboard via the dropdown menu at the top.

  2. Click the ⋮ (three dots) on the right hand side and select “Edit Property Details.”

  3. Confirm and update the following fields:

    • Acquisition Date – The closing date when you officially took ownership.

    • Acquisition Price – Total purchase cost, including associated fees.

    • Date Placed in Service – When the property was ready to rent or use.

Bring Your CapEx Schedule Current

Why it matters: Properly categorizing historical capital improvements ensures accurate depreciation and basis tracking.

On the Transactions page:

  • Click “+ Add”, then choose the Capital Expenses category.

  • Enter past capital projects like:

    • Renovations

    • Plumbing or electrical upgrades

    • New doors, windows, flooring, etc.

To record closing costs added to basis:
Enter a single Capital Expense line item called “Closing Costs Added to Basis” dated on your acquisition date.

Includes costs like:

  • Seller-owed property taxes (you paid)

  • Owner’s title insurance

  • Legal, recording, or survey fees

Note: Loan fees are not part of the cost basis; they are amortized separately.

Confirm Your Loan Details

Why it matters: Accurate mortgage info powers your equity and loan balance metrics.

To add or edit loans:

  1. Go to the “Financials & Assets” tab on your Property page.

  2. Locate the Mortgage card.

    • Click “Add” to enter a new mortgage.

    • Choose to connect a bank account or add manually.

  3. To update a mortgage:

    • Click the ⋮ (three dots) on the Mortgage card → “Edit”

    • Update loan terms and click Save


Add or Import Historical Cash Flow Data

Why it matters: Helps you visualize investment performance over time, even before you started using Stessa.

Choose one of the following methods on the Transactions page:

  • Option A: Net Cash Flow Only
    Add a manual “Income” transaction dated Dec 31 for each year, reflecting your net cash flow (after debt, before taxes).

  • Option B: Gross + Operating Expenses
    Add individual “Income” and “Operating Expense” transactions per category (based on your Schedule E), dated Dec 31 each year.

  • Option C: Import Detailed Data
    Use the upload method to import past transactions.

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