---
title: Separate actual income from projected market income
description: "Actual operating records and projected market income answer different questions. Keep both visible and clearly labeled. ## Actual income Actual income comes from the property’s operating history. Examples include platform statements, payout records, booking reports, leases, and related bank records.…"
url: "https://www.shorttermrentaladvisory.com/docs/actual-versus-projected-income/"
updated: "2026-10-06"
category: "Income & DSCR"
---

# Separate actual income from projected market income

Actual operating records and projected market income answer different questions. Keep both visible and clearly labeled.

## Actual income

Actual income comes from the property’s operating history. Examples include platform statements, payout records, booking reports, leases, and related bank records. Check the reporting period and distinguish gross revenue from net payouts after deductions.

## Projected income

Projected income estimates what the property may earn under stated assumptions. It may be useful for a purchase or a new rental operation, but depends on occupancy, pricing, seasonality, expenses, and execution.

## Compare rather than blend

For an existing rental, investigate a material difference between historical results and market projections. Do not average unlike figures or replace a weaker history without explanation. For a new rental, flag the absence of operating history and test a lower-income scenario.

## Related help

- [Review market income](https://www.shorttermrentaladvisory.com/docs/review-market-income-and-comparables/)
- [Understand DSCR](https://www.shorttermrentaladvisory.com/docs/understand-dscr/)

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