.calculator-wrapper-seo {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
color: #333;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.calc-box {
background: #f8f9fa;
border: 1px solid #e9ecef;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 30px;
box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
margin-bottom: 40px;
}
.calc-title {
text-align: center;
color: #2c3e50;
margin-bottom: 25px;
font-size: 28px;
font-weight: 700;
}
.calc-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.calc-grid {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
}
.input-group {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.input-group label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 8px;
font-weight: 600;
font-size: 14px;
color: #555;
}
.input-group input, .input-group select {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px 12px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
transition: border-color 0.2s;
box-sizing: border-box; /* Critical for layout */
}
.input-group input:focus {
border-color: #007bff;
outline: none;
}
.calc-btn {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
background-color: #007bff;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 15px;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
width: 100%;
margin-top: 10px;
transition: background-color 0.2s;
}
.calc-btn:hover {
background-color: #0056b3;
}
.calc-results {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
background-color: #fff;
border: 1px solid #dee2e6;
border-radius: 6px;
padding: 20px;
margin-top: 20px;
display: none; /* Hidden by default */
}
.result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
padding: 10px 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
}
.result-row:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
}
.result-label {
font-weight: 600;
color: #555;
}
.result-value {
font-weight: 700;
color: #2c3e50;
}
.highlight-result {
color: #28a745;
font-size: 1.2em;
}
.negative-result {
color: #dc3545;
}
.seo-content {
padding: 20px 0;
}
.seo-content h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-top: 30px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #007bff;
padding-bottom: 10px;
display: inline-block;
}
.seo-content p {
margin-bottom: 15px;
font-size: 17px;
}
.seo-content ul {
margin-bottom: 20px;
padding-left: 20px;
}
.seo-content li {
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.disclaimer {
font-size: 12px;
color: #999;
margin-top: 20px;
text-align: center;
}
function calculateRentalCashFlow() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var price = parseFloat(document.getElementById('propPrice').value) || 0;
var downPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('downPayment').value) || 0;
var rate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('interestRate').value) || 0;
var years = parseInt(document.getElementById('loanTerm').value) || 30;
var rent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('rentalIncome').value) || 0;
var annualTax = parseFloat(document.getElementById('propTax').value) || 0;
var annualIns = parseFloat(document.getElementById('insurance').value) || 0;
var monthlyHOA = parseFloat(document.getElementById('hoa').value) || 0;
var maintPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('maintenance').value) || 0;
var vacancyPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('vacancy').value) || 0;
// 2. Perform Calculations
// Loan Details
var downPaymentAmount = price * (downPercent / 100);
var loanAmount = price – downPaymentAmount;
// Monthly Mortgage Calculation (Principal + Interest)
// Formula: M = P [ i(1 + i)^n ] / [ (1 + i)^n – 1 ]
var monthlyRate = (rate / 100) / 12;
var numPayments = years * 12;
var monthlyMortgage = 0;
if (rate === 0) {
monthlyMortgage = loanAmount / numPayments;
} else {
monthlyMortgage = loanAmount * (monthlyRate * Math.pow(1 + monthlyRate, numPayments)) / (Math.pow(1 + monthlyRate, numPayments) – 1);
}
// Monthly Operating Expenses
var monthlyTax = annualTax / 12;
var monthlyIns = annualIns / 12;
var monthlyMaint = rent * (maintPercent / 100);
var monthlyVacancy = rent * (vacancyPercent / 100);
var totalMonthlyExpenses = monthlyMortgage + monthlyTax + monthlyIns + monthlyHOA + monthlyMaint + monthlyVacancy;
// Cash Flow
var monthlyCashFlow = rent – totalMonthlyExpenses;
var annualCashFlow = monthlyCashFlow * 12;
// Cash on Cash Return
// Assume Closing Costs are roughly 3% of price for a more realistic estimate, or just use Down Payment if simple
// For this specific calculator, we will use Down Payment as the primary denominator to keep inputs simple but accurate to user inputs
var totalCashInvested = downPaymentAmount;
var cocReturn = 0;
if (totalCashInvested > 0) {
cocReturn = (annualCashFlow / totalCashInvested) * 100;
}
// 3. Formatting Helper
function formatMoney(num) {
return '$' + num.toFixed(2).replace(/\d(?=(\d{3})+\.)/g, '$&,');
}
// 4. Update UI
document.getElementById('resMortgage').innerText = formatMoney(monthlyMortgage);
document.getElementById('resTotalExpenses').innerText = formatMoney(totalMonthlyExpenses);
document.getElementById('resNOI').innerText = formatMoney(rent – (totalMonthlyExpenses – monthlyMortgage)); // NOI excludes debt service
var cfElement = document.getElementById('resCashFlow');
cfElement.innerText = formatMoney(monthlyCashFlow);
// Style changes for positive/negative cash flow
if (monthlyCashFlow >= 0) {
cfElement.className = "result-value highlight-result";
cfElement.style.color = "#28a745";
} else {
cfElement.className = "result-value highlight-result negative-result";
cfElement.style.color = "#dc3545";
}
document.getElementById('resAnnualCashFlow').innerText = formatMoney(annualCashFlow);
document.getElementById('resCoC').innerText = cocReturn.toFixed(2) + '%';
// Show results
document.getElementById('resultContainer').style.display = 'block';
}
Rental Property Cash Flow Calculator
30 Years
15 Years
10 Years
Monthly Mortgage (P&I):
Total Monthly Expenses:
Net Operating Income (Monthly):
Monthly Cash Flow:
Annual Cash Flow:
Cash on Cash Return:
What is Rental Property Cash Flow?
Rental property cash flow is the net amount of money moving in and out of a real estate investment after all income is collected and all expenses are paid. It is arguably the most critical metric for buy-and-hold real estate investors. Positive cash flow means your property is generating profit every month, while negative cash flow implies you are losing money to hold the asset.
Calculating cash flow accurately requires accounting for more than just the mortgage and rent. You must include "hidden" costs like vacancy rates, long-term maintenance, property management, taxes, and insurance.
How to Use This Cash Flow Calculator
This tool is designed to provide a comprehensive analysis of your potential investment. Here is how to interpret the input fields:
- Purchase Price & Down Payment: Determines your initial investment and loan amount.
- Rental Income: The fair market rent you expect to collect monthly.
- Vacancy & Maintenance: Often overlooked, these percentage-based expenses account for months the property sits empty and the cost of future repairs (like a new roof or water heater).
- Cash on Cash Return: This percentage tells you how hard your actual invested cash is working. It is calculated by dividing your annual pre-tax cash flow by your total cash invested.
Why is Cash on Cash Return Important?
While "Monthly Cash Flow" tells you the dollar amount you keep, Cash on Cash (CoC) Return allows you to compare the profitability of real estate against other investments like stocks or bonds. For example, if you invest $50,000 to buy a rental property and it generates $5,000 in annual positive cash flow, your CoC return is 10%. This metric helps investors determine if a specific property meets their investment criteria, regardless of the property's total price.
Strategies to Increase Cash Flow
If your calculation shows negative or low cash flow, consider these strategies:
- Decrease Expenses: Shop around for cheaper insurance, challenge your property tax assessment, or self-manage the property to save on management fees.
- Increase Rent: Make cost-effective improvements (like fresh paint or new fixtures) that justify a higher monthly rent.
- Adjust Financing: A larger down payment reduces the monthly mortgage payment, instantly boosting monthly cash flow, though it lowers your leverage.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only. Real estate investments carry risks. Always consult with a financial advisor or real estate professional before making investment decisions.