Analyzing a real estate investment requires more than just looking at the monthly rent. Professional investors use specific metrics to determine if a property is a "deal" or a "dud." This calculator helps you break down the four pillars of rental property returns: Income, Expenses, Debt Service, and Cash Flow.
The Cash Flow Formula
The basic math for rental cash flow is:
Net Cash Flow = Gross Rental Income - (Mortgage + Taxes + Insurance + Maintenance + Vacancy + Management)
Key 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 (CoC) Return: This is the "yield" on the actual money you out-of-pocket. If you put $60,000 down and make $6,000 in annual cash flow, your CoC is 10%.
Maintenance & CapEx: Many beginners forget these. You should set aside 5-15% of rent for repairs (maintenance) and big-ticket items like roofs or water heaters (Capital Expenditures).
Example Scenario
Imagine you buy a house for $300,000 with 20% down ($60,000). Your monthly rent is $2,500. After paying the mortgage ($1,517), taxes ($300), insurance ($100), and setting aside 10% for maintenance ($250), your monthly cash flow is approximately $333. This represents a 6.6% Cash on Cash return.