When investing in real estate, it's important to understand the concept of cash-on-cash returns. Simply put, this term refers to the amount of cash you'll receive in relation to the amount of cash you've invested in a property. Understanding cash-on-cash returns can help you evaluate the potential return on your investment and make informed decisions about where to allocate your capital.
To calculate your cash-on-cash returns, you'll need to know the amount of cash you've invested and the annual cash flow generated by the property. From there, you can divide the cash flow by the amount invested to get your cash-on-cash return percentage. Let's look at some examples to make this concept easier to understand.
You want to invest in a rental property that costs $500,000. You put down a 20% down payment of $100,000 and finance the remaining $400,000 with a mortgage. The property generates $30,000 in annual rental income and has $15,000 in annual expenses (property taxes, insurance, repairs, etc.). This means that the property has an annual cash flow of $15,000 ($30,000 - $15,000).
Cost = $500,000
Down payment = 20% ($100,000)
Mortgage = $400,000
Annual Income Generated = $30,000
Annual Expenses = $15,000
So
Cash Flow = $30,000 - $15,000
To calculate your cash-on-cash return, you would divide your annual cash flow by your initial investment. In this case, your initial investment is $100,000 (the down payment). So, your cash-on-cash return would be 15% ($15,000 divided by $100,000).
Cash on Cash Return = Annual Cash Flow / Initial Investment *100
Cash on Cash Return = $15,000 / $100,000 * 100 = 15%
So, your cash-on-cash return would be 15%
You invest in a real estate fund that pools investors' money to purchase and manage a portfolio of commercial properties. You contribute $50,000 to the fund, and the fund generates $10,000 in annual cash distributions (dividends) to you. In this case, your cash-on-cash return would be 20% ($10,000 divided by $50,000).
Initial Payment = $50,000
Annual Income Generated = $10,000
Cash on cash Returns = Annual Income Generated / Initial Investment *100
Cash on Cash Return = ( $10,000 / $50,000 ) * 100 = 20%
In this case, your cash-on-cash return would be 20%
As you can see from these examples, cash-on-cash returns can vary widely depending on the specific investment opportunity. It's important to note that this metric only takes into account the cash flow generated by the property and not any appreciation or tax benefits that may come with owning the property. However, cash-on-cash returns are still an important metric to consider because they give you a sense of the cash flow you'll receive on your investment.
You decide to invest in a fix-and-flip property that costs $200,000. You put down a 25% down payment of $50,000 and finance the remaining $150,000 with a mortgage. After spending $50,000 on renovations and holding costs, you sell the property for $350,000. This means that you've made a gross profit of $100,000.
Cost = $200,000
Down Payment = 25% = $50,000
Mortgage = $150,000
Renovations and Other costs = $50,000
Sale Price = $350,000
Profit = ( $350,000 - $200,000 - $50,000 ) = $100,000
To calculate your cash-on-cash return, you would divide your net profit (gross profit minus your initial investment) by your initial investment. In this case, your initial investment is $100,000 (the down payment plus renovation costs).
Cash on Cash Return = ( Initial Investment + Renovation Cost ) / Profit * 100
Cash on Cash Return = ( $50,000 + $50,000 ) / $100,000 * 100 = 100%
So, your cash-on-cash return would be 100%
You want to invest in a commercial property that costs $2,000,000. You put down a 30% down payment of $600,000 and finance the remaining $1,400,000 with a mortgage. The property generates $150,000 in annual rental income and has $50,000 in annual expenses (property taxes, insurance, repairs, etc.). This means that the property has an annual cash flow of $100,000 ($150,000 - $50,000).
Cost = $2,000,000
Initial Investment (Down Payment) = 30% = $600,000
Mortgage = $1400,000
Annual Rental Income = $150,000
Annual Expenses = $50,000
Annual Cash Flow = (Annual Rental Income – Annual Expenses ) = $150,000 - $50,000 = $100,000
To calculate your cash-on-cash return, you would divide your annual cash flow by your initial investment. In this case, your initial investment is $600,000 (the down payment).
Cash on Cash Return = ( Annual Cash Flow / Initial Investment ) * 100
Cash on Cash Return = ( 100,000 / $600,000 ) * 100 = 16.7%
So, your cash-on-cash return would be 16.7%
In conclusion, understanding cash-on-cash returns is essential for any real estate investor. By comparing the cash-on-cash returns of different properties or investment opportunities, you can make informed decisions about where to allocate your capital and maximize your returns. Remember to consider other factors, such as appreciation potential and tax benefits, in addition to cash-on-cash returns when evaluating an investment opportunity.
.jpeg)
.svg){kind=icon}