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Investor tools

Explore the numbers behind a rental.

Adjust the assumptions and see where cash flow changes. Start with the example, then use evidence from a property you are researching.

Rental scenario tool

See what drives rental cash flow.

Explore an educational model with your own assumptions. The starting values are illustrative, editable examples, and use no live market data.

Your assumptions

Include taxes, insurance, maintenance, management and other operating costs. Exclude mortgage payments.

Optional cost estimate. Enter 0 if none.

Assumes a fixed-rate, fully amortizing loan. Use 100% down for an all-cash purchase.

Compare hypothetical scenarios

These calculations are illustrations, not projected returns.

Base assumptions

$193/ month

Monthly cash flow · before income tax

Uses the values you entered.

Downside example

-$180/ month

Monthly cash shortfall · before income tax

Rent −10%, vacancy +5 percentage points (capped at 100%), operating expenses +10%.

Initial cash modeled $67,500Down payment $62,500 + closing $5,000
Annual amounts unless a ratio is shown
MeasureBaseDownside
Scheduled rental income$26,400$23,760
Vacancy allowance deducted$1,320$2,376
Effective rental income$25,080$21,384
Operating expenses deducted$7,800$8,580
Net operating income (NOI)$17,280$12,804
Principal + interest deducted$14,969$14,969
Cash flow before income tax$2,311-$2,165
Debt service coverage (DSCR)1.15×0.86×
Cash-on-cash3.4%-3.2%
How the model works

Effective income is annual rent less the vacancy allowance. NOI is effective income less operating expenses. Cash flow is NOI less annual principal and interest payments.

DSCR is NOI divided by annual debt service. Cash-on-cash is annual cash flow divided by the down payment plus closing costs. Ratios are unavailable when their denominator is zero or too small to produce a finite value.

The downside example changes only rent, vacancy and operating expenses. Purchase price, financing and closing costs remain the same. A negative cash flow indicates a cash shortfall.

This simplified model excludes appreciation, sale proceeds, income taxes, depreciation, capital work, replacement reserves and financing fees not included in closing costs. Budget for those separately. Cash flow is shown before separate reserves; NOI does not deduct them. This is an educational illustration, not an investment offer or a forecast.

Your private comparison

Keep three possibilities in view.

Nickname and save the current assumptions, then compare them side by side. Saving a new scenario never edits one already saved.

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Saved only in this browser when storage is available. No account, server upload or share link. Clearing browser data removes local saves; JSON files include your nicknames and assumptions.

3 slots available. Use a nickname you can recognize without personal information.

Your comparison starts with one scenario.

Adjust the calculator above, add a nickname and save. Try a different purchase price or expense budget for your next scenario.

Import accepts this tool’s version 1 format, up to 1 MB. Files are read in your browser.

Every saved scenario uses the same model above. Downside: rent −10%, vacancy +5 percentage points capped at 100%, operating expenses +10%. Initial cash is down payment plus closing costs; it is unchanged in the downside. NOI excludes debt service, income taxes and separate reserves. DSCR is N/A when there is no debt service or the ratio cannot be finite.

The model excludes appreciation, sale proceeds, income taxes, depreciation, capital work, replacement reserves and financing fees not included in closing costs. These are educational comparisons, not forecasts or investment offers.