Rental cashflow calculator
See whether a rental still cashflows after the repair budget.
Model the income, operating expenses, debt, vacancy, reserves, and rehab assumptions that decide whether a property is actually rent-ready.
Rental Cashflow Calculator
Estimate monthly cashflow, cash invested, and cash-on-cash return with rehab and operating assumptions.
Monthly expense summary
Save the rental assumptions with repair photos, notes, and a PDF estimate in Rehab Estimator.
Inputs worth checking before buying
A rental can look strong when rent is viewed alone. The cashflow test should include recurring expenses, the cost to make the unit rentable, and the time before income starts. Repairs affect cash invested, reserves, debt needs, and the first month a tenant can move in.
Rental cashflow inputs to separate
| Input | How to use it |
|---|---|
| Gross monthly rent | Base it on current local listings and leased comps. |
| Vacancy | Reduce income for expected turnover and lease-up time. |
| Debt service | Include principal and interest if the property is financed. |
| Taxes and insurance | Use property-specific numbers when available. |
| Maintenance and reserves | Plan for recurring repairs and future capital items. |
| Upfront rehab | Track the cash needed before the property can produce rent. |
Why repair costs belong near the cashflow math
Repair costs affect cash-on-cash return, reserves, debt needs, and the time before rent starts. Keeping the rehab budget and rental calculator in one app reduces the chance that a promising rent number hides a weak repair budget.
What to do when cashflow is thin
If the deal only works with low repairs, full rent, and no delays, test the downside case before moving forward. Increase vacancy, raise the repair budget, and include maintenance reserves. If the property still works in the conservative case, the deal is easier to defend.
Field workflow
Capture the property details, add repair tasks by scope, attach photo notes, and then run the rental cashflow calculator. Update the estimate as bids come in, then export a PDF for review.
Frequently Asked Questions
What expenses should a rental cashflow calculator include?
A rental cashflow calculator should include rent, mortgage payment, taxes, insurance, vacancy, maintenance, property management, utilities paid by the owner, capital reserves, and repair costs needed before rent starts.
Should rehab costs be included in monthly cashflow?
Upfront rehab costs usually belong in the acquisition and cash-on-cash return analysis. Ongoing maintenance and reserves should be included in monthly cashflow.
Why can a rental with strong rent still be a weak deal?
High repairs, vacancy, debt service, insurance, taxes, management, or delayed rent start can reduce the actual cashflow even when the gross rent looks good.
Estimate the repairs before trusting the rent number.
Download Rehab Estimator for rehab reports, rental cashflow math, and PDF exports.