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Rental Property Cash Flow
Calculate NOI, Cap Rate & Cash-on-Cash

Run a rental property through the full investor analysis. Calculate net operating income, cap rate, monthly cash flow, cash-on-cash return, and gross rent multiplier. The complete picture for buy-and-hold investors.

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TL;DR Quick answer for real estate investors

Rental Cash Flow Calculator — Project monthly cash flow on an investment property after mortgage payment, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, vacancy, and management costs.

LendingStreet has structured $4.36B+ across 8,196 deals nationwide. NMLS #1734316 · 30+ capital sources · 50 states.

Rental Property Cash Flow Calculator

This is the more comprehensive version of our Cash-on-Cash Calculator. It calculates ALL the key rental property metrics — NOI, cap rate, cash-on-cash return, gross rent multiplier — so you can compare rental properties on every dimension.

Use this for buy-and-hold rental analysis, including BRRRR exits, DSCR-financed rentals, and conventional investment property deals.

Calculate Full Cash Flow Analysis

Property & Loan

Typical: 20-30% for DSCR loans

Origination + title + appraisal + escrow setup

Income (Monthly)

Laundry, parking, storage, etc. (multifamily)

Operating Expenses (Monthly)

% of gross rent (typical: 8-10%)

% of gross rent (typical: 5-8%)

% of gross rent (typical: 5-8%)

% of gross rent for capital expenditures (roof, HVAC, etc.)

What These Metrics Mean

Monthly Cash Flow

What hits your bank account each month after ALL expenses (mortgage, taxes, insurance, management, vacancy, maintenance, capex). Positive = profitable rental. Negative = losing money monthly.

Net Operating Income (NOI)

Annual income minus annual operating expenses, EXCLUDING the mortgage. This is the property's earning power independent of how it's financed. Used to calculate cap rate.

Cap Rate

NOI ÷ Purchase Price × 100. Measures the unleveraged return on the property. Compare cap rates between potential properties — higher is better. Typical: 5-8% in major markets, 8-12% in secondary/tertiary markets.

Cash-on-Cash Return

Annual cash flow ÷ Total cash invested × 100. Measures the return on YOUR money. The most honest metric for leveraged investments. Target: 8%+ for buy-and-hold rentals.

Gross Rent Multiplier (GRM)

Purchase Price ÷ Annual Gross Rent. Quick screening tool — lower GRM = better deal. GRM of 8-10 is good, 12+ is rich for the income.

Quick Screening Rules

Rule Meaning When It Works
1% RuleMonthly rent > 1% of purchase priceCash flow markets (Midwest, South). Hard in CA/NY.
50% RuleOperating expenses ~ 50% of gross rentQuick mental check before deeper analysis.
2% RuleMonthly rent > 2% of purchase priceClass C properties in distressed markets. Rare otherwise.
Cap Rate > 8%Property returns >8% before financingInvestor markets. CA/NY/coastal won't qualify.

Get Pre-Approved for a DSCR Loan

Got a property that pencils out? LendingStreet finances rental properties with DSCR loans — qualify based on the property's rental income, not your tax returns. Up to 80% LTV. Close in 21-30 days. LLC borrowing supported.

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No credit pull. No commitment. Speak with a licensed financing firm that knows the investor market.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is cash flow on a rental property?

Cash flow is the money left after paying ALL expenses on a rental property — mortgage, property tax, insurance, management, vacancy, maintenance, and capital expenditures. Positive cash flow means the property pays you each month. Negative means you're paying to own it.

What is a good cap rate for rental property?

Cap rates vary by market. In major coastal markets (CA, NY, Boston), 4-6% is normal. In Midwest and Southern markets, 8-12% is achievable. Generally, higher cap rate = better cash flow but often higher risk. Compare to similar properties in the same market.

What is the difference between cap rate and cash-on-cash return?

Cap rate measures return on the full purchase price (no leverage). Cash-on-cash return measures return on YOUR cash invested (down payment + closing). Cap rate is for property comparison; cash-on-cash is for evaluating leveraged investor returns.

How do I calculate NOI?

NOI (Net Operating Income) = Annual Rental Income − Annual Operating Expenses. Operating expenses include property tax, insurance, management, vacancy, maintenance, capex reserves, and HOA — but NOT the mortgage. NOI is what the property earns regardless of financing.

Should I include vacancy and maintenance reserves?

Yes — always. Skipping vacancy and maintenance makes your cash flow look better than reality. Standard reserves: 5-8% vacancy, 5-8% maintenance, 5-8% capital expenditures. Properties always have unexpected expenses; budget for them upfront.