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Cash on Cash Return Calculator

See what your equity actually earns in year one.

Cash on cash return is one of the clearest ways to understand investor yield after financing. Dealarc helps you model that number while keeping debt coverage, reserves, and longer-term value creation in view.

Equity-focused

Cash on cash return is about what your invested dollars produce after mortgage payments, not just property-level performance.

Useful for rentals

It is especially helpful when comparing financed rental deals with different down payments or debt structures.

Best with context

A high cash on cash return can still hide weak reserves, low coverage, or a fragile exit profile.

How to think about cash on cash return

The basic formula is annual pre-tax cash flow divided by total cash invested. That makes it intuitive for investors who want to know their actual yield on equity, especially in the first year of ownership.

Why investors use it

  • Quick read on investor yield
  • Useful for comparing debt structures
  • Simple enough to use during acquisition screening

What to pair it with

  • DSCR for lender comfort
  • NOI for asset-level quality
  • IRR for hold-period performance
  • Reserve planning for realism
Cash on cash return is often the number buyers care about first, but it is strongest when paired with metrics that show durability, not just year-one yield.

Cash on cash return FAQ

What is cash on cash return?

It measures annual pre-tax cash flow divided by the total equity invested in the deal.

Why does leverage matter?

Because financing changes both your equity requirement and your annual debt payments, which directly affects investor yield.

Is a higher cash on cash return always better?

No. A higher number may come with higher leverage, lower reserves, or weaker downside protection.

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