Property ROI Calculator

Analyze rental property investment returns

Last updated: January 2025

About This Tool

The property ROI calculator helps real estate investors analyze the potential returns on rental properties. By factoring in all income and expenses, it calculates key metrics like cash-on-cash return, cap rate, and total ROI to help you make informed investment decisions.

What is Property ROI Calculator?

Property ROI (Return on Investment) measures the profitability of a rental property investment. This calculator computes multiple return metrics including cash-on-cash return (annual cash flow divided by initial investment), cap rate (net operating income divided by property value), and total ROI including appreciation and equity building.

How It Works

Enter the property price, down payment, expected rent, and all operating expenses. The calculator projects annual rental income minus vacancy, operating expenses, and mortgage payments. It then calculates your returns based on cash invested, including the benefits of appreciation and mortgage paydown.

Formula

Cash-on-Cash ROI = Annual Cash Flow / Total Cash Invested x 100; Cap Rate = NOI / Property Price x 100

Property Details

Purchase Price$300,000
Down Payment$60,000
Monthly Rent$2,200
Vacancy Rate5%
Mortgage Rate6.5%
Appreciation3%

Annual Expenses

Cash-on-Cash

-1.3%

Total ROI

15.5%

Cap Rate

5.8%

Gross Yield

8.4%

Monthly Cash Flow

-$76.96

Income & Expenses

Annual Rent+$25,080
Mortgage-$18,203.56
Taxes & Insurance-$4,800
Maintenance-$3,000
Annual Cash Flow-$923.56

Total Return Breakdown

Cash Flow-$923.56
Appreciation$9,000
Principal Paydown$2,603.56

💡 Benchmarks

  • • Cap Rate: 5-10% is good
  • • Cash-on-Cash: 8%+ is ideal
  • • Price-to-Rent: <15 favors buying

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When to Use This Calculator

  • 1When evaluating potential rental property investments
  • 2To compare multiple investment properties objectively
  • 3When deciding between different financing options
  • 4To set appropriate rental rates for profitability
  • 5During due diligence before making an offer

Pro Tips

  • Aim for at least 8% cash-on-cash return for rental properties
  • Cap rates of 5-10% are typically considered good
  • Always account for vacancy - 5-10% is realistic
  • The 1% rule: monthly rent should be at least 1% of purchase price
  • Include a reserve for capital expenditures and repairs

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using listed rent instead of actual market rent
  • Underestimating vacancy, repairs, and turnover costs
  • Not factoring in property management fees (8-10%)
  • Ignoring capital expenditure reserves
  • Relying too heavily on appreciation projections

Frequently Asked Questions

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