What is Rental Property Cash Flow?
Rental property cash flow is the net amount of money left over after all operating expenses and debt service payments have been deducted from the total rental income. Positive cash flow indicates that the investment is generating profit month-over-month, while negative cash flow means the owner must contribute personal funds to keep the property operational.
Why Use a Cash Flow Calculator?
Real estate investors use cash flow calculators to evaluate the viability of an investment property before purchasing. By inputting the purchase price, expected rent, and detailed expenses like maintenance, taxes, and vacancy rates, investors can determine if a deal meets their financial goals. A good calculator helps avoid "bad deals" where expenses are underestimated.
Key Metrics in Real Estate Investing
This calculator provides several critical metrics to help you analyze your property:
- Monthly Cash Flow: Your net profit every month. (Income – Expenses).
- Cash-on-Cash (CoC) Return: A percentage that measures the annual return on the actual cash invested (Down Payment + Closing Costs). It is calculated as
Annual Cash Flow / Total Cash Invested. - Cap Rate (Capitalization Rate): Measures the natural rate of return on the property independent of debt. It is calculated as
Net Operating Income / Purchase Price. - Net Operating Income (NOI): The total income generated minus all operating expenses, excluding mortgage payments.
How to Calculate Cash Flow Manually
If you want to understand the math behind the results, here is the formula used for rental property cash flow:
Cash Flow = Gross Rental Income – (Mortgage Payment + Taxes + Insurance + Vacancy + Maintenance + CapEx + Property Management)
For example, if you collect $2,000 in rent, and your total mortgage, taxes, and operational costs sum up to $1,700, your monthly cash flow is $300.