Rental Property Cash on Cash Return Calculator
1. Acquisition Details
2. Income & Operating Expenses
How to Calculate Cash on Cash Return for Rental Properties
Understanding your Cash on Cash (CoC) Return is crucial for any real estate investor. Unlike standard ROI (Return on Investment), Cash on Cash return measures the annual return the investor makes on the property in relation to the amount of mortgage paid during the same year. It is one of the most important metrics because it tells you exactly how hard your actual cash investment is working for you.
Why Cash on Cash Return Matters
In real estate investing, leverage (using a bank's money) is key. If you buy a $200,000 property with all cash, your return is calculated differently than if you put $40,000 down and borrowed the rest. Cash on Cash return focuses specifically on the $40,000 you actually took out of your pocket. It answers the question: "For every dollar I invest, how much cash flow do I get back this year?"
The Formula
The formula for Cash on Cash Return is relatively simple but requires accurate inputs regarding your income and expenses:
Where:
- Annual Pre-Tax Cash Flow: Total Rental Income – (Mortgage + Taxes + Insurance + HOA + Vacancy + Repairs).
- Total Cash Invested: Down Payment + Closing Costs + Initial Rehab/Repair Costs.
Real-World Example
Let's say you purchase a rental property using the following numbers:
- Purchase Price: $250,000
- Down Payment: $50,000 (20%)
- Closing & Rehab Costs: $5,000
- Total Cash Invested: $55,000
After paying the mortgage, taxes, insurance, and setting aside money for repairs, your Monthly Cash Flow is $300. This means your Annual Cash Flow is $3,600.
Your Cash on Cash Return would be:
($3,600 / $55,000) x 100 = 6.54%
A "good" Cash on Cash return varies by market and strategy, but many investors target between 8% and 12% for long-term buy-and-hold rentals.
Using This Calculator
Use the calculator above to run scenarios. Adjust the Down Payment to see how leverage affects your return. Don't forget to factor in Vacancy Rates (usually 5-8%) and Maintenance Costs to get a realistic picture of your investment's potential performance.