Rental Property Calculator

Analyze any rental property investment in minutes. Calculate cash flow, ROI, cap rate, and see 5-year wealth building projections.

Purchase Details

Loan Details

Rental Income

Annual Expenses

Growth Assumptions

Investment Analysis

Cash on Cash
0.8%
Cap Rate
6.2%
Monthly Cash Flow
$66
DSCR
1.04
Marginal Investment (0.8% CoC)

Cash flow is marginal. May be better as an appreciation play.

Investment Summary

Down Payment$87,500
Closing Costs$8,000
Rehab Costs$0
Total Cash Invested$95,500

Monthly Cash Flow

Effective Rent+$2,660
Operating Expenses-$847
Mortgage (P&I)-$1,746
Net Cash Flow$66

5-Year Wealth Building Projection

Cash Flow
$3,975
Appreciation
$55,746
Equity Paydown
$15,405
Total Return
$75,125
5-Year ROI on Cash Invested: 78.7%

Key Investment Ratios

Rent-to-Price Ratio
0.8%
Target: 1%+ (1% rule)
Expense Ratio
31.9%
Lower is better
Annual NOI
$21,752
Before debt service

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How to Analyze a Rental Property

Successful rental property investing requires thorough analysis before purchasing. This calculator helps you evaluate the four key wealth-building components of rental properties:

The 4 Ways Rentals Build Wealth

  1. Cash Flow: Monthly income after all expenses and mortgage
  2. Appreciation: Property value increase over time
  3. Equity Paydown: Tenants pay down your mortgage principal
  4. Tax Benefits: Depreciation, deductions, and 1031 exchanges

Key Metrics to Evaluate

  • Cash-on-Cash Return: Annual cash flow ÷ cash invested
  • Cap Rate: NOI ÷ property value
  • DSCR: NOI ÷ debt service (for loan qualification)
  • 1% Rule: Monthly rent ÷ purchase price

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a rental property is a good investment?

Look for positive monthly cash flow, cash-on-cash return of 8%+, cap rate appropriate for your market, and DSCR above 1.2. Also consider appreciation potential, tenant demand, and your exit strategy.

What is the 1% rule in rental property?

The 1% rule states that monthly rent should be at least 1% of the purchase price. For example, a $300,000 property should rent for at least $3,000/month. This is a quick screening tool, not a definitive analysis.

How much should I put down on an investment property?

Most lenders require 20-25% down for investment properties. Higher down payments (25-30%) often get better rates. For DSCR loans, 20-25% is typical. FHA/VA loans don't apply to non-owner-occupied properties.

What expenses should I include in my rental analysis?

Include property taxes, insurance, property management (8-10%), maintenance (5-10% of rent), vacancy (5-8%), HOA if applicable, utilities if owner-paid, and any other recurring costs.

What is a good cash-on-cash return for rental property?

Most investors target 8-12% cash-on-cash return, though this varies by market. In expensive markets, 5-7% may be acceptable with strong appreciation. In cash flow markets, 10-15%+ is achievable.

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