What is a Cash on Cash Return? (2024)

There are several metrics investors use when evaluating various investment opportunities. Metrics like cap rate, internal rate of return (IRR) and cash-on-cash return allow investors to make a quick, apples to apples comparison of the opportunities before them. Some investors have certain thresholds (i.e., the metric must hit a certain number) for them to pursue the deal in earnest. Many investors look at hundreds of deals before investing in any single one, so these metrics help them wade through the masses before focusing their attention on a select few.

In this article, we look at "cash on cash"returns as a metric some investors use to evaluate investment opportunities.

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How to Calculate a Cash on CashReturn

Cash on cash return is a rate of return ratiothat calculates the total cash earned on the total cash (equity) invested in adeal. It is defined as cash flow before tax (i.e., cash flow after financing)in a given period, divided by the equity invested as of the end of that period.Cash on cash return is a levered (i.e.,after-debt) metric, whereas the "free and clear" return is its unleveredequivalent. Cash on cash return is a metric used by real estate investors toassess potential investment opportunities. It issometimes referred to as the "cash yield" on an investment.

The cash on cash return formula is simple:

  • AnnualNet Cash Flow / Invested Equity = Cashon Cash Return

The cash on cash return is generally expressedas a percentage. While this ratio can be used in several business settings, itis most commonly used in commercial real estate transactions.

By way of example: Let's say a sponsor decidesto purchase an apartment building for $10 million. The sponsor pools $2.5million of equity to invest in the deal and then finances the remaining $7.5million. Aside from the down payment, the sponsor paid $200,000 in variousclosing costs and fees. Therefore, totalequity invested is $2.7 million.

After one year, the annual rental revenue fromthe property is $1.2 million. In addition, mortgage payments, including bothprincipal and interest payments, total $550,000. The sponsor spends another$200,000 on operating expenses and property improvements.

Todetermine the cash on cash return, you must first calculate the annual cashflow from the investment. The annual cash flow fromthe first year is:

  • Annualnet cash flow = total gross revenue - total expenses
  • Annualnet cash flow = $1.2 million - $750,000
  • Annualnet cash flow = $450,000

Now, we dividethe annual net cash flow by equity invested to determine the cash on cashreturn.

  • $450,000/ $2,700,000 = 16.7%

The property's total cash on cash return is16.7%. TIs means that the property's annual profit for that year will be 16.7%of the cash initially invested.

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Benefits of a Cash on Cash Return

There are many reasons why investors like tocalculate a property's cash on cash returns.

The first, most practical use of cash on cashreturn is for property selection.Cash on cash return allows investors to conducta quick, side-by-side analysis of multiple deals based on the informationavailable to them (i.e., the rent roll, operating expenses and other financialsprovided by the seller).

Another reason investors like to usecash-on-cash return compared to other metrics is that it factors in the cost offinancing. This helps investorsdetermine what terms they'd need in order to achieve a certain cash on cashreturn. When an investor has more equity in the deal (as a percentage ofthe loan-to-value), the cash on cash return will generally be lower than if aninvestor has less equity in the deal. The calculationskews downward as more equity is invested, assuming revenues and costsremain constant otherwise. Of course, the cost of financing can also impact thecash on cash return and therefore, this calculation can motivate an investor toshop around for better loan rates and terms.

Finally, cash on cash returns provide usefulinsights as to a property's expense profile. Properties with higher expenseswill result in lower cash on cash returns, assuming all else remains equal. Aprospective buyer might look at thecurrent expenses to determine if there are cost savings that can be implementedto increase cash on cash returns.

Related:Why Is RealEstate an "Alternative" Investment?

How Cash on Cash Returns Compareto Other Metrics

The cash on cash return is one of many metricsthat investors can use to evaluate investment opportunities. It differs fromother metrics as follows:

  • Cash on Cash vs. ROI: A property's return oninvestment is used to measure the overall rate of return on a property,including debt and cash, while cash on cash measures the return of the actualcash (equity) originally invested.

  • Cash on Cash vs Internal Rate of Return (IRR):The IRR is defined as the total interest earned on money invested. The primary difference between cash on cash returnsand IRR is that IRR is based on totalincome earned throughout the ownership cycle (vs. in annual segments, as isthe case with cash on cash returns). IRR calculations are much more complicatedand are based upon the time value of money financial principle.

  • Cash on Cash vs. Cap Rate: The cap ratecalculation assumes there is no debt on the property. If a property waspurchased with all cash (i.e., there is no debt service obligation), then thecash on cash return would be the same as the cap rate. However, because most investors usesome degree of leverage, these are generally different calculations.

What is a Good Cash on Cash Rateof Return?

Many investors want to know what is a "good"cash on cash return. There is no easy answer. A "good" cash on cash returndepends on several factors, including an investor's preferences. For example, arisk-adverse investor might opt toinvest more equity into deals, thereby lowering how much leverage they need.The more equity, the lower the leverage and cost of financing, the lower thecash on cash return. For some investors, an 8-10% cash on cash return is sufficient if the property otherwisemeets their investment objectives. Others might only look at deals with aminimum 20% cash on cash return. These investors might need to utilize moreleverage and less equity to reach that threshold.

The local market also influences cash on cashreturns. In particularly hot markets, higher acquisition costs might requiresubstantially more equity (in total dollars, not as a percentage ofloan-to-value). Unless income is comparably high, the total cash on cash returnmight be lower. Many investors arewilling to accept a lower cash on cash return in primary markets with strongunderlying economics, particularly if they are risk-adverse and/or have along investment horizon.

One wayfor an investor to compare deals using cash on cash returns is to assume thesame amount of equity is invested in each deal. Let'ssay an investor has $2 million to invest. They can use that $2 million toinvest in three separate deals.Based on the debt, income and expenses associated with each of those deals,assuming equity invested remains constant, the investor can determine which ofthe three deals results in the highest or "best" cash on cash return.

Related:Terms andDefinitions: Debt Terms

The Bottom Line

Ultimately, cash on cash return is a metricthat can be used to steer investors as they determine which investment will bemore or less profitable when compared to others - assuming the same equitycould be invested in a variety of ways (including but not limited to realestate investments). Cash on cashreturns are a useful metric but are always best used in conjunction with otherreal estate investing metrics like those outlined above.

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What is a Cash on Cash Return? (2024)

FAQs

How do you explain cash on cash return? ›

Cash on cash return is a rate of return ratio that calculates the total cash earned on the total cash (equity) invested in a deal. It is defined as cash flow before tax (i.e., cash flow after financing) in a given period, divided by the equity invested as of the end of that period.

What is an acceptable cash on cash return? ›

There is no specific rule of thumb for those wondering what constitutes a good return rate. There seems to be a consensus amongst investors that a projected cash on cash return between 8 to 12 percent indicates a worthwhile investment. In contrast, others argue that even 5 to 7 percent is acceptable in some markets.

Is a 7% cash on cash return good? ›

Q: What is a good cash-on-cash return? A: It depends on the investor, the local market, and your expectations of future value appreciation. Some real estate investors are happy with a safe and predictable CoC return of 7% – 10%, while others will only consider a property with a cash-on-cash return of at least 15%.

What does cash on cash return mean quizlet? ›

The Cash on Cash Return helps you evaluate the long-term performance of a real estate investment. Cash on Cash Return is the property's annual net cash flow divided by your net investment, expressed as a percentage.

What is the explanation for cash? ›

Cash is legal tender—currency or coins—that can be used to exchange goods, debt, or services. Sometimes it also includes the value of assets that can be easily converted into cash immediately, as reported by a company.

How do you explain cash on a balance sheet? ›

Cash is classified as a current asset on the balance sheet and is therefore increased on the debit side and decreased on the credit side. Cash will usually appear at the top of the current asset section of the balance sheet because these items are listed in order of liquidity.

What is a good cash on cash return 2023? ›

Generally, cash on cash return percentages of 10% or higher are great. However, this is up to interpretation and investors who are a little more ambitious might not accept properties that don't provide cash on cash returns of even higher percentages.

What does 12% cash on cash return mean? ›

Let's say you bought a property for $300,000 in an all-cash deal. You charge $3,000 per month when you rent out the property. That means you're making $36,000 on the rent. Your cash-on-cash return is 12% back per year ($36,000/$300,000).

What is a reasonable amount of cash to have on hand? ›

While you're working, we recommend you set aside at least $1,000 for emergencies to start and then build up to an amount that can cover three to six months of expenses. When you've retired, consider a cash reserve that might help cover one to two years of spending needs.

Is 10% cash too much? ›

A general rule of thumb for how much of your investment portfolio should be cash or cash equivalents range from 2% to 10%, although this very much depends on your individual circ*mstances.

What is a good cash balance? ›

The common rule of thumb is for businesses to have a cash buffer of three to six months' worth of operating expenses. However, this amount can depend on many factors such as the industry, what stage the business is in, its goals, and access to funding.

Is having 10K in cash good? ›

Is 10K a Good Amount of Savings? Yes, 10K is a good amount of savings to have. The majority of Americans have significantly less than this in savings, so if you have managed to achieve this, it is a big accomplishment.

What is another name for cash on cash return? ›

Cash-on-cash yield also refers to the total amount of distributions paid annually by an income trust as a percentage of its current price. The cash-on-cash yield is a measurement technique that can be used to compare different unit trusts. This term is also referred to as "cash-on-cash return."

Can cash on cash return be negative? ›

Can a business have a negative cash on cash return? Yes, a real estate investment can have a negative cash on cash return. This might be the result of charging rents that are too low or an extended vacancy rate. A negative cash on cash return does not necessarily indicate that a property is a poor investment.

What two things does the cash on cash return compare? ›

The formula is easy to calculate and understand, and helps an investor to understand how much money a property could or should earn each year. Cash-on-cash return measures annual pre-tax cash flow compared to the total amount of cash invested.

What is cash on cash calculator? ›

Cash-on-Cash Return = Annual Before-Tax Cash Flow ÷ Total Cash invested. A relatively simple calculation, an investor can find out their cash-on-cash return by taking the pre-tax cash flow (determined using the income and expense calculations for a property) and dividing that figure by the total amount of cash invested ...

How is cash calculated? ›

You get that by adding money received and subtracting money spent. Cash balance is the amount of money on hand. You get that by taking the previous month's cash balance and adding this month's cash flow to it — which means subtracting if the cash flow is negative.

Why is cash called cash? ›

The word "cash" derives from the Middle French caisse ("money box"), which derives from the Old Italian cassa, and ultimately from the Latin capsa ("box").

What is an example of cash on a balance sheet? ›

Cash on a balance sheet includes currency, bank accounts and undeposited checks.

What is the meaning of cash balance in accounting? ›

Cash balance is how much money the business currently has available. The beginning cash balance is how much cash was available at the start of the period you chose for your cash flow statement.

Is cash on the balance sheet or income statement? ›

Balance sheets show a company's: Assets: Assets include items like the accounts receivable, which is the money the company intends to receive, cash and cash equivalents, inventories, property, patents and copyrights.

How much cash should I have at my age? ›

Saving 15% of income per year (including any employer contributions) is an appropriate savings level for many people. Having one to one-and-a-half times your income saved for retirement by age 35 is an attainable target for someone who starts saving at age 25.

How much cash should you have at every age? ›

Savings by age 30: the equivalent of your annual salary saved; if you earn $55,000 per year, by your 30th birthday you should have $55,000 saved. Savings by age 40: three times your income. Savings by age 50: six times your income. Savings by age 60: eight times your income.

Should I take my money out of the bank 2023? ›

Do no withdraw cash. Despite the recent uncertainty, experts don't recommend withdrawing cash from your account. Keeping your money in financial institutions rather than in your home is safer, especially when the amount is insured. "It's not a time to pull your money out of the bank," Silver said.

What is the cash on cash return rule of thumb? ›

The first rule of thumb is Cash on Cash Return. A cash on cash return is simply the return an investor receives on the amount of “cash” that is invested in the deal. To calculate this figure, take the annual cash flow from the property and divide by the TOTAL cash invested.

Does cash on cash return include sale price? ›

Cash-on-cash return only measures the return on the actual cash invested out of pocket. Cash-on-cash return is a snapshot of annual cash flow, whereas ROI is cumulative and typically measures returns based on including the eventual sale price.

What is 1.5 cash back on $100? ›

Cash back rewards operate on a percentage basis. An example: If you have a card with a purchase rewards rate of 1.5% and you make $100 in purchases, you would earn $1.50 in cash back. These rewards may seem small, but they can add up quickly.

How much cash should 70 year old have on hand? ›

How Much Should a 70-Year-Old Have in Savings? Financial experts generally recommend saving anywhere from $1 million to $2 million for retirement. If you consider an average retirement savings of $426,000 for those in the 65 to 74-year-old range, the numbers obviously don't match up.

How do you store cash so it doesn't mold? ›

Keep any paper cash, currency, and valuable paper records locked in a quality, humidity-controlled, fire-resistant safe. If you have valuables such as paper cash or other important/sensitive documents, you absolutely need to invest in a quality safe with UL-rated security and certified fire protection.

What is a safe amount of cash to keep at home? ›

“We would recommend between $100 to $300 of cash in your wallet, but also having a reserve of $1,000 or so in a safe at home,” Anderson says.

Is 20k in savings good? ›

Is $20,000 a Good Amount of Savings? Having $20,000 in a savings account is a good starting point if you want to create a sizable emergency fund. When the occasional rainy day comes along, you'll be financially prepared for it. Of course, $20,000 may only go so far if you find yourself in an extreme situation.

How much does the average person have in savings? ›

The average American household had transaction accounts worth $41,600 in 2019. This is 2.3% lower than the average recorded in 2016. In terms of median values, the 2019 figure of $5,300 is 10.65% higher than the 2016 median balance of $4,790. Transaction accounts provide account owners with immediate access to cash.

How much savings should I have at 40? ›

According to a study by Fidelity, people in their 40s should aim to have at least three times their annual salary saved by this point. So if yours is $50,000, then you should strive to have $150,000 saved. If possible, it's even better to aim for five times your annual salary saved by age 40.

What is the 20% cash rule? ›

Those will become part of your budget. The 50-30-20 rule recommends putting 50% of your money toward needs, 30% toward wants, and 20% toward savings. The savings category also includes money you will need to realize your future goals.

What is the 50% cash rule? ›

The 50% rule in real estate says that investors should expect a property's operating expenses to be roughly 50% of its gross income. This is useful for estimating potential cash flow from a rental property, but it's not always foolproof.

What is the average cash balance? ›

The average cash balance equals the sum of the cash balance in the current period and the cash balance in the prior period, divided by two.

Is it bad to deposit 20k cash? ›

If you plan to deposit a large amount of cash, it may need to be reported to the government. Banks must report cash deposits totaling more than $10,000. Business owners are also responsible for reporting large cash payments of more than $10,000 to the IRS.

How much does the average 70 year old have in savings? ›

How much does the average 70-year-old have in savings? Just shy of $500,000, according to the Federal Reserve. The better question, however, may be whether that's enough for a 70-year-old to live on in retirement so that you can align your budget accordingly.

Is 100k in savings a lot? ›

But some people may be taking the idea of an emergency fund to an extreme. In fact, a good 51% of Americans say $100,000 is the savings amount needed to be financially healthy, according to the 2022 Personal Capital Wealth and Wellness Index. But that's a lot of money to keep locked away in savings.

Is cash-on-cash return the same as equity multiple? ›

An investment's equity multiple is comparable to a property's cash-on-cash return. The difference is that, whereas cash-on-cash returns are normally presented as a percentage on an annual basis, equity multiples are provided as a ratio throughout the course of an investment's multi-year holding term.

What is the difference between preferred return and cash-on-cash return? ›

The preferred return is the threshold return that Limited Partners (LPs) receive before General Partners receive any profits. The cash-on-cash return is the overall projected returns to the LPs over the lifetime of the project.

What is returning money called? ›

Some common synonyms of reimburse are compensate, indemnify, pay, recompense, remunerate, repay, and satisfy. While all these words mean "to give money or its equivalent in return for something," reimburse implies a return of money that has been spent for another's benefit. reimbursed employees for expenses.

What is an example of a cash-on-cash return? ›

Examples of cash-on-cash return

If you rent it out for $3,000 a month, but your monthly upkeep costs $1,000, then your annual pre-tax cash flow is $24,000: ($3,000 - $1,000) x 12 months. If you divide by the amount of cash invested ($100,000) that means your cash-on-cash return is 24,000/100,000, or 24%.

Is it OK to break even on rental? ›

“With rentals, if you break even on a cash-flow basis, that's actually not too bad because you're paying down the principal and building equity that way. Then, you hopefully also see some appreciation.” So if you're looking to make money in real estate, you'll want to think long term.

What is the cash-on-cash yield? ›

Cash on cash return is a rate of return ratio that calculates the total cash earned on the total cash invested. The amount of the total cash earned is generally based on the annual pre-tax cash flow.

What does a negative cash-on-cash mean? ›

A business can report a negative cash balance on its balance sheet when there is a credit balance in its cash account. This happens when the business has issued checks for more funds than it has on hand.

What are 2 examples of cash? ›

Examples of cash are:
  • Coins.
  • Currency.
  • Cash in checking accounts.
  • Cash in savings accounts.
  • Bank drafts.
  • Money orders.
  • Petty cash.
Jan 14, 2020

What is the difference between yield and cash on cash return? ›

Cash-on-cash yield does not include any appreciation or depreciation in the investment. Calculations based on standard ROI will incorporate the total return of an investment; on the other hand, cash-on-cash yield simply measures the return on the actual cash invested.

What is the difference between IRR and cash on cash? ›

The IRR tells you what your money is doing for you over the course of the entire deal, while the Cash on Cash tells you what money you might get back in a particular year. Understanding the key metrics when investing in Commercial Real Estate is essential.

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

The cap rate is a metric that provides information about the relationship between a property's net operating income and its value. It is calculated as Net Operating Income divided by the market value of the property. The cash on cash return is a metric that measures the annual return on the total cash investment.

What is 10 percent cash on cash return? ›

The cash on cash return is typically expressed as a percentage value. For example, let's assume that you have an investment property with a 10% cash on cash return. This means that each year this investment property is generating a rental income that is equal to 10% of the total amount of cash you've invested in it.

Is cash on cash return the same as equity multiple? ›

An investment's equity multiple is comparable to a property's cash-on-cash return. The difference is that, whereas cash-on-cash returns are normally presented as a percentage on an annual basis, equity multiples are provided as a ratio throughout the course of an investment's multi-year holding term.

Which is better yield or return? ›

If you only care about identifying which stocks have performed better over a period of time, the total return is more important than the dividend yield. If you are relying on your investments to provide consistent income, the dividend yield is more important.

What is a good rate of return on rental property? ›

The 2% rule in real estate is another simple way to calculate ROI for rental properties. According to this rule, if the monthly rent for a rental property is at least 2% of its purchase price, then odds are it should generate positive cash flow.

What is a good cap rate? ›

Market analysts say an ideal cap rate is between five and 10 percent; the exact number will depend on the property type and location. In comparison, a cap rate lower than five percent denotes lesser risk but a more extended period to recover an investment.

Why is IRR usually greater than the average cash-on-cash return? ›

The reason the cash on cash return is so much lower than the IRR in the example above is because the cash on cash return ignores the other 9 years of operating cash flows in the holding period. Plus, it also ignores the reversion cash flow at the end of year 10 that comes from the sale of the asset.

Do you want a higher NPV or IRR? ›

IRR is useful when comparing multiple projects against each other or in situations where it is difficult to determine a discount rate. NPV is better in situations where there are varying directions of cash flow over time or multiple discount rates.

Is IRR the same as cost of capital? ›

The IRR rule states that if the IRR on a project or investment is greater than the minimum RRR—typically the cost of capital, then the project or investment can be pursued. Conversely, if the IRR on a project or investment is lower than the cost of capital, then the best course of action may be to reject it.

Why does cash-on-cash return matter? ›

Cash-on-cash return is important because it gives you a quick way to determine whether purchasing an investment property is worth it. It's simplified, but it gives you an idea of the price at which you would need to purchase a property to meet your profitability goals.

Does cash-on-cash return increase over time? ›

Unlike return on investment or ROI,which measures return over an entire holding period, cash-on-cash is the return over a specific period of time, usually 1 year. Cash-on-cash return may increase or decrease from one period to the next due to fluctuations in income, expenses, or additional cash invested.

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