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Cactus Onboarding Guide

Steps to Self Start Underwriting

C
Written by Cactus Team
Updated over a week ago

Step 1. Setting Up Access

What you’ll do here: Set up your login and get your documents ready.

Setting Up Access Steps:

  1. Log in – Click the login link here and continue with Microsoft or Google.

  2. Demo page access – Once you log in, you’ll land on a demo page. Notify us when you’re there. We’ll update your access once your invoice is paid (within 24 hours).

  3. Gather documents – Have documents ready for underwriting (OM, T-12, management summaries, or rent roll).

  • If you don’t have documents, you can also start a manual entry.



Step 2. Build Your Underwriting

What you’ll do here: Upload documents, extract data, and build your underwriting model.

Steps:

  1. Upload documents & select asset type – If you’ve created a template, select it before extraction.

2. Audit conflicts – Review and select which data inputs to use.

3. Project details – Confirm address and project details.

4. Acquisitions – Purchase price pre-fills if available; use “View Source” to check data origin.

5. Unit Mix – Upload a rent roll or a list of units. We’ll build your unit mix table and you can compare the market rental rates.

6. Income & Expenses – Build your pro forma.

  • Add/edit line items.

  • Create a lease-up plan with the Value-Add tool.

7. Financing – Enter loan assumptions.

8. Exit – Set your holding period, closing costs, and assumptions to calculate IRR.

9. Investment Criteria – Define your minimum criteria to enable green-light/red-light analysis.


Step 3. Advanced Analysis

What you’ll do here: Explore external data, insights, and refine assumptions.

Steps:

  1. Overview Tools

  • KPI Slider – Adjust purchase price and test effects.

  • LOI Generator – Draft a letter of intent.

  • Refinancing Page – Model refinancing scenarios.

2. Market Analysis Page – See local demographics and competition by drive-time or mile radius.

3. News & Insights – AI-sourced updates on zoning, new developments, moratoriums, road construction, and other risk factors.

4. Templates – Save and reuse baseline strategies & inputs. None are hard-coded — always editable in underwriting.


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