Rental Property Cash Flow Calculator
Monthly Financial Summary
How to Calculate Rental Property Cash Flow
Understanding cash flow is the cornerstone of successful real estate investing. Cash flow represents the net amount of money moving into or out of a rental property business after all expenses have been paid. A positive cash flow means the property is generating profit, while negative cash flow implies a loss.
The Cash Flow Formula
The basic formula for calculating monthly rental cash flow is straightforward:
Cash Flow = Gross Income – Total Expenses
However, breaking down "Total Expenses" is where many investors make mistakes. To get an accurate picture, you must include:
- Mortgage Payments: Principal and interest payments on your loan.
- Property Taxes & Insurance: Recurring annual costs divided by 12.
- Vacancy: A percentage of rent set aside to cover periods when the property is empty (typically 5-8%).
- Maintenance & Repairs: Funds reserved for upkeep (typically 5-15% of rent).
- Capital Expenditures (CapEx): Savings for major replacements like roofs or HVAC systems.
What is a Good Cash on Cash Return?
Cash on Cash (CoC) return measures the annual return you made on the cash you invested (Down Payment + Closing Costs + Rehab). It is calculated as:
(Annual Pre-Tax Cash Flow / Total Cash Invested) × 100
While "good" is subjective, many investors target a CoC return of 8% to 12%. In highly appreciative markets, investors might accept lower cash flow (4-6%), while in stable cash-flow markets, they might demand 15% or higher.
Example Calculation
Imagine you buy a property for $200,000 with $50,000 down. You rent it for $2,000/month.
- Gross Income: $2,000
- Mortgage (P&I): ~$950
- Taxes/Ins/HOA: ~$450
- Reserves (Vacancy/Maint): ~$300
- Total Expenses: $1,700
- Monthly Cash Flow: $300
- Annual Cash Flow: $3,600
- Cash on Cash Return: ($3,600 / $50,000) = 7.2%
Use the calculator above to run the numbers on your specific deal to ensure it meets your investment criteria before making an offer.