Rental Property Cash Flow Calculator
Analyze potential rental property investments by calculating monthly cash flow and annual returns.
Acquisition Info
Loan Financing
Income & Expenses
Financial Analysis Overview
Monthly Cash Flow
$0.00
Rental Income minus Total Outflow
Cash on Cash Return (CoC)
0.00%
Annual Cash Flow / Total Cash Invested
Detailed Breakdown
- Monthly Principal & Interest: $0.00
- Total Monthly Expenses (P&I + Operating): $0.00
- Annual Cash Flow: $0.00
- Total Cash Invested (Down Payment + Closing): $0.00
Understanding Rental Property Cash Flow
Investing in real estate is one of the most reliable ways to build wealth, but success hinges on the numbers. The most critical metric for any buy-and-hold investor is cash flow. This calculator helps you determine if a potential rental property will put money in your pocket each month or take it out.
What is Cash Flow?
In the context of rental properties, cash flow is the net amount of cash moving into or out of an investment after all operating expenses and debt service (mortgage payments) have been paid. It is the profit you realize on a monthly basis.
- Positive Cash Flow: The income generated by the property exceeds all expenses. This is the goal for most investors, as it provides passive income and a safety net for repairs.
- Negative Cash Flow: The expenses of the property exceed the rental income. You are essentially paying out of pocket each month to hold the investment, banking entirely on future appreciation.
How to Use This Calculator
To get an accurate picture of your potential investment, you need to input realistic figures regarding acquisition, financing, and ongoing operations.
- Acquisition Info: Enter the total purchase price, your planned down payment percentage, and estimated closing costs. This determines your initial cash investment and the loan amount.
- Loan Financing: Input the interest rate and the term of the loan (typically 15 or 30 years). This calculates your monthly Principal & Interest (P&I) payment.
- Income & Expenses: Enter the gross monthly rental income. Crucially, estimate your "Other Monthly Expenses." Do not just include taxes and insurance. A realistic investor also budgets for:
- Property Management fees (if applicable)
- Maintenance and repairs reserves (e.g., 5-10% of rent)
- Vacancy capital expenditures (CapEx) reserves (e.g., for a new roof or HVAC)
- HOA fees and utilities paid by the landlord
Interpreting Key Metrics
Monthly Cash Flow
This is your gross rental income minus your total monthly outflow (mortgage P&I plus operating expenses). For example, if your property rents for $2,500, your mortgage is $1,500, and other expenses (taxes, insurance, reserves) total $600, your monthly cash flow is $400 ($2,500 – $2,100).
Cash on Cash Return (CoC)
While monthly cash flow tells you profit in dollars, Cash on Cash Return measures the return on the actual cash you invested. It is calculated as:
(Annual Cash Flow / Total Cash Invested) x 100
If you invested $70,000 total (down payment + closing costs) and the property generates $4,800 in annual cash flow ($400/month x 12), your CoC return is 6.85%. This metric allows you to compare the performance of a real estate investment against other potential uses for your cash, such as stocks or bonds.