Cash path vs Creative path scoring

Cash path scoring

The cash path is fundamentally about price. Gap percent (listing vs MAO) does most of the work. DOM and condition matter, but if the math doesn't work, motivation can't save it.

• Gap percent — biggest weight, drives 50%+ of the cash score
• Days on market — longer DOM means more negotiation room
• Condition — must match a cash buyer's appetite (medium+ rehab)
• Distress signals — motivation accelerates closing

Creative path scoring

The creative path is about whether a structure exists that works for both sides. Equity position, mortgage terms, motivation, and cash flow all matter more than listing price.

• 4 Pillars — Timeline, Motivation, Condition, Price (in that order)
• Strategy viability — does at least one creative structure pencil
• Cash flow — can the deal break even or better at projected rents
• Equity position — free and clear unlocks seller finance, mortgage unlocks SubTo

Why a deal can split paths

Common scenario: senior owner, free and clear, listing 30% above cash MAO, no urgent need for cash. Cold for cash because the gap is too wide. Hot for seller finance because the seller wants monthly income and a steady rate beats market alternatives.

How to read both grades

Always check both before passing. If cash is COLD but creative is WARM or HOT, the deal is alive — you just need a different conversation with the seller. If both are COLD, move on.

Rinsed scores every deal twice — once on the cash path, once on the creative path. They use different signals because they answer different questions. A deal can be COLD for one and HOT for the other.