Real-estate cash flow: calculate the cash flow of your rental
Real-estate cash flow tells you how much money remains each month after paying the real costs of a rental property.
Simulate my cash flowCash flow and yield are not the same
A property can have a strong annual yield and still generate negative monthly cash flow if mortgage payments and costs exceed rent. Review both metrics before buying.
What to include in the calculation
- Realistic monthly rent and other recurring income
- Mortgage payment and interest
- Property tax, community fees, insurance, management and maintenance
- Vacancies, missed payments and predictable repairs
- Taxes and extraordinary costs
How to interpret the result
- Positive cash flow: income covers costs and leaves a monthly surplus.
- Cash flow near zero: the deal depends more on appreciation or principal repayment.
- Negative cash flow: you must contribute money every month and measure whether the risk is worth it.
- Compare scenarios by changing rent, financing, vacancy and costs.
Frequently asked questions about real-estate cash flow
How do you calculate rental cash flow?
Subtract operating costs, taxes and financing costs from net rental income for the period. You can review it monthly or annually.
Is positive cash flow better than a high yield?
They are different metrics. Cash flow measures recurring liquidity while yield measures return on capital. A sound decision reviews both alongside risk.
Can I simulate several scenarios for free?
Yes. USELIUM's real-estate calculator lets you change income, financing and costs to compare the result of an investment.
Simulate my cash flow
Real-estate cash flow tells you how much money remains each month after paying the real costs of a rental property.
Simulate my cash flow