Rental Property ROI Calculator
Calculate your potential real estate investment returns and Cap Rate
Investment Costs
Monthly Cash Flow
Tax, Insurance, HOA, Maintenance
Investment Summary
Total Initial Investment
$0
Monthly Cash Flow
$0
Annual ROI (Cash-on-Cash)
0%
Cap Rate
0%
Understanding Your Rental Property ROI
Investing in real estate is a powerful way to build wealth, but the "Return on Investment" (ROI) is more complex than just subtracting your mortgage from your rent. To truly understand if a deal is good, you need to look at multiple financial metrics.
Key Real Estate Metrics Explained
- Cap Rate (Capitalization Rate): This measures the property's natural rate of return without considering financing. It is calculated by dividing the Net Operating Income (NOI) by the purchase price.
- Cash-on-Cash Return: This is the actual cash you receive divided by the actual cash you invested (down payment, closing costs, and repairs). This is often considered the most important "real-world" metric for rental investors.
- Net Operating Income (NOI): This is your total annual income minus all operating expenses (taxes, insurance, maintenance), but before debt service (mortgage).
Example Calculation
Imagine you buy a condo for $200,000. You spend $5,000 on closing and $5,000 on paint and carpets. Your total investment is $210,000.
If the monthly rent is $1,800 and your combined expenses (taxes, insurance, HOA) are $500, your Monthly Net Income is $1,300. If you have no mortgage, your annual ROI would be ($1,300 × 12) / $210,000 = 7.4%.
Ways to Improve Your Rental ROI
- Reduce Vacancy: Even one month of vacancy can destroy your annual profits. Screen tenants well to ensure long-term stays.
- Value-Add Renovations: Focus on upgrades that allow for higher rent, such as modern kitchens or adding an extra bedroom.
- Tax Deductions: Don't forget to account for depreciation and interest deductions during tax season to increase your "after-tax" ROI.