How to Calculate Flip Profit - Real Estate Flip Investing Calculator & Formula
Learn how to calculate flip profit with our free real estate flip investing calculator and formula guide. Use our real estate flip investing calculator, house flipping calculator, property flip profit calculator, fix and flip calculator, property flip roi calculator, and renovation profit calculator. Formula: Net Profit = ARV - Purchase - Renovation - Holding - Closing - Commission. Calculate flipping profits, ROI, renovation costs, and analyze real estate investment returns with comprehensive flip analysis. Our calculator helps real estate investors analyze flip opportunities using purchase price, renovation budgets, holding costs, ARV projections, and the 70% rule for successful fix-and-flip investments.
Last updated: February 2, 2026
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Property acquisition cost
Total rehab and improvement costs
Mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities during flip
Expected selling price after renovations
Closing costs when buying (typically 2-3%)
Closing costs when selling (excluding commission)
Real estate agent commission (typically 5-6%)
Flip Analysis
Net Profit
$28,500
after all costs
Total Investment
$342,500
ROI
8.3%
Profit Margin
7.1%
Break-Even Price
$371,500
Analysis:
Good flip opportunity with solid profit potential.
Flip Profit Formula:
- • Net Profit = ARV - Purchase - Renovation - Holding - Closing - Commission
- • ROI = (Net Profit ÷ Total Investment) × 100
- • 70% Rule: Purchase + Reno ≤ 70% of ARV
- • Target 15-20% ROI for successful flips
How to Calculate Flip Profit - Step by Step Guide & Formula
Flip Profit Formula
Main Formula:
Net Profit = ARV - Purchase - Renovation - Holding - Closing - Commission
- • ARV = After Repair Value
- • Purchase = Purchase Price
- • Renovation = Renovation Costs
- • Holding = Holding Costs
- • Closing = Closing Costs
- • Commission = Agent Commission
- • $400K ARV
- • $250K purchase
- • $75K renovation
- • $10K holding
- • $12.5K closing
- • $24K commission
- • Profit: $28,500
Step-by-Step: How to Calculate Flip Profit
Step 1: Determine After Repair Value (ARV)
Estimate property value after renovations using comparable sales:
ARV = Average of Comparable Sales (adjusted)
Example: Find 3-5 similar renovated homes sold recently, adjust for differences, average = $400,000 ARV
Step 2: Calculate Total Investment
Sum all acquisition and carrying costs:
Total Investment = Purchase + Renovation + Holding + Closing Buy
Example: $250,000 + $75,000 + $10,000 + $7,500 = $342,500 total investment
Step 3: Calculate Selling Costs
Sum all selling expenses:
Selling Costs = Agent Commission + Closing Sell
Example: ($400,000 × 6%) + $5,000 = $24,000 + $5,000 = $29,000 selling costs
Step 4: Calculate Net Profit
Subtract all costs from ARV:
Net Profit = ARV - Total Investment - Selling Costs
Example: $400,000 - $342,500 - $29,000 = $28,500 net profit
Step 5: Calculate ROI
Divide net profit by total investment:
ROI = (Net Profit ÷ Total Investment) × 100
Example: ($28,500 ÷ $342,500) × 100 = 8.3% ROI
Flip Profit Calculation Example
Example: $250K Purchase, $75K Renovation, $400K ARV
Key Insight: Flip profit calculation must account for all costs including purchase, renovation, holding, closing costs, and commission. The 70% rule (Purchase + Renovation ≤ 70% of ARV) ensures adequate margin for unexpected expenses. Target 15%+ ROI for successful flips. This example shows 8.3% ROI, which may be too low for the risk involved.
Property Flip Calculator Types & Investment Tools
Formula
ARV - All Costs
Comprehensive profit calculation
Target ROI
15-25%
Measures investment efficiency
Rule
Purchase + Reno ≤ 70% ARV
Ensures adequate profit margin
Method
Comparable Sales
Uses recent comps for accuracy
Categories
Kitchen, Bath, Flooring
Itemized renovation cost breakdown
Per Month
$1,500-$4,000
Mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities
Investment Analysis
Flip ROI & Profit
Calculate profits and ROI for flip investments
Quick Example Result
$250K purchase, $75K renovation, $400K ARV with typical costs:
Net Profit
$28,500
ROI
8.3%
How Our Property Flip Profit Calculator Works
Our property flip profit calculator analyzes all costs and revenues in a fix-and-flip investment to determine net profit and ROI. The calculation applies real estate investment principles including the 70% rule to evaluate flip viability and profitability.
Property Flip Profit Formula - Complete Guide
Main Formulas:
Net Profit = ARV - Purchase - Renovation - Holding - Closing - CommissionROI = (Net Profit ÷ Total Investment) × 10070% Rule: (Purchase + Renovation) ≤ ARV × 0.70Profit Margin = (Net Profit ÷ ARV) × 100Quick Calculation Example:
The calculator sums all acquisition and carrying costs (purchase, renovation, holding, closing), subtracts from After Repair Value (ARV), deducts selling costs (commission, closing), and calculates net profit. ROI shows return on invested capital. The 70% rule verification ensures adequate profit margin for unforeseen expenses and market changes.
Shows how ARV flows through all costs to reach net profit
Mathematical Foundation
Property flip profit analysis is based on real estate investment mathematics and the fundamental income property equation: profit equals income minus expenses. Unlike rental properties with ongoing income, flips are one-time capital gain transactions. The 70% rule provides a quick screening metric derived from typical cost structures: 30% margin covers selling costs (~10%), holding costs (~5%), profit (~15%), and contingency buffer. ROI calculation shows return efficiency, while profit margin indicates pricing power and market positioning.
- Total investment includes purchase, renovation, holding, and buying closing costs
- ARV accuracy is critical—overestimating eliminates profit quickly
- The 70% rule provides built-in safety margin for unexpected expenses
- ROI of 15-25% is typical for successful flips
- Holding costs accumulate monthly—speed increases profitability
- Agent commission and selling closing costs reduce net proceeds significantly
Sources & References
- The Book on Flipping Houses - J ScottComprehensive guide to house flipping strategies and analysis
- Fix and Flip - Rick Otton, Real Estate InvestorPractical methods for profitable property flipping
- BiggerPockets - House Flipping ResourcesCommunity and educational resources for real estate investors
Need help with other investment calculations? Check out our rental ROI calculator and cash flow forecast calculator.
Get Custom Calculator for Your PlatformProperty Flip Examples
Investment Breakdown:
- Purchase Price: $250,000
- Renovation Costs: $75,000
- Holding Costs: $10,000 (6 months)
- Purchase Closing: $7,500
- After Repair Value: $400,000
Profit Analysis:
- Total Investment: $342,500
- Commission (6%): $24,000
- Selling Closing: $5,000
- Net Profit: $28,500
- ROI: 8.3%
Result: Net profit of $28,500 with 8.3% ROI
70% rule check: $325,000 ≤ $280,000 ✓ Profit margin: 7.1%. Break-even price: $371,500.
Light Cosmetic Flip
$200K buy, $30K reno, $280K ARV
Profit: ~$20K (9% ROI)
Major Renovation Flip
$150K buy, $100K reno, $400K ARV
Profit: ~$85K (31% ROI)
Frequently Asked Questions
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