Real Estate ROI Calculator
Understanding Real Estate ROI (Return on Investment)
Return on Investment (ROI) is one of the most critical metrics for any real estate investor. Whether you are "fix-and-flipping" houses or analyzing a potential rental property, knowing your ROI helps you determine if the financial risk is worth the potential reward.
How to Calculate Real Estate ROI
The basic formula for ROI is: (Net Profit / Total Cost of Investment) x 100. However, in real estate, the "cost" isn't just the purchase price. To get an accurate figure, you must include:
- Acquisition Costs: The purchase price plus closing costs (title insurance, inspections, legal fees).
- Rehabilitation Costs: All money spent on repairs, materials, and labor.
- Carrying Costs: Recurring expenses while you own the property, such as property taxes, insurance, utilities, and loan interest.
- Selling Costs: Agent commissions, marketing, and transfer taxes.
Example Calculation
Imagine you buy a distressed property for $200,000. You spend $5,000 on closing and $40,000 on a full kitchen and bath remodel. Your total investment is $245,000.
During the 6 months it takes to renovate and sell, you pay $1,000 per month in utilities and taxes ($6,000 total). You sell the home for $320,000 and pay 6% in commissions ($19,200).
Your net profit is $320,000 – ($245,000 + $6,000 + $19,200) = $49,800. Your ROI would be ($49,800 / $245,000) = 20.3%.
What is a Good ROI in Real Estate?
A "good" ROI depends on the strategy. Fix-and-flip investors often look for a 15% to 20% ROI over a 6-month period. Long-term rental investors often focus more on "Cash-on-Cash Return," where 8% to 12% is considered strong. Always consider the Annualized ROI to compare investments that take different amounts of time to complete.