BRRRR Calculator — Houston, TX

Houston has one of the most diverse economies in the US and a massive rental market. BRRRR investors benefit from no zoning laws (more flexible property use) but need to account for flood risk and high insurance costs.

Median Price

$280,000

Rent Yield

7.2%

BRRRR Entry

$110,000

Target neighborhoods: Third Ward, East End, Acres Homes, Independence Heights, Sunnyside

Local tip: Check FEMA flood maps before purchasing — properties in flood zones require separate flood insurance ($1,000-3,000/year), which can destroy cash flow on otherwise good deals.

Numbers below are pre-loaded with typical Houston market data. Adjust to match your specific deal.

Also analyze deals in San Antonio, Dallas, or Little Rock.

BRRRR Calculator

Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat — decision-grade analysis

Compare Scenarios
Deal Inputs
$

What you're paying for the property before rehab.

$

Total renovation cost estimate before contingency.

$

What the property will be worth after renovations, based on comparable sales.

$

Expected monthly rental income from the property.

%

Percentage of purchase price paid upfront.

%

Loan-to-value ratio for the refinance. Most investors target 75%.

%

Interest rate on the long-term refinanced loan.

Capital Recovery Rate

101.1%

Percentage of your total invested cash recovered through refinance. 80%+ is strong. Below 60% means significant capital stays trapped.

Monthly Cash Flow

-$451

Net monthly income after all expenses and the refinanced mortgage payment. This is what hits your bank account each month.

DSCR at Refinance

0.57

Debt Service Coverage Ratio — net operating income divided by annual mortgage payment. Lenders typically require 1.0+ and prefer 1.25+.

Warnings

🟡 Cost basis is high relative to ARV — thin margin for value-add

Your all-in cost (purchase + rehab) is 75% of ARV. Successful BRRRRs typically target 70-75% or lower. The tighter this ratio, the less room for error.

Negotiate a lower purchase price or find a property where the rehab creates more value relative to cost.

Deal Breakdown

Purchase

Cash at closing$27,060
Loan amount$88,000
Monthly payment (rehab)$7,819

Rehab

Total rehab cost (w/ contingency)$40,250
Carrying costs (total)$33,275
Carrying costs (monthly)$8,319

Refinance

Appraisal used by lender$200,000
New loan amount$150,000
Cash returned at refinance$101,687
Cash left in deal-$1,102
New monthly payment$1,049

Cash Flow (Annual)

Effective gross income$15,456
Operating expenses$8,280
Net operating income$7,176
Debt service$12,586
Annual cash flow-$5,410

Returns

Total cash invested$100,585
Capital recovery rate101.1%
Cash-on-cash return
Cap rate3.6%
DSCR0.57
IRR20.1%

Sensitivity Analysis

ARV Variance

-20%
72% recovery-$241/mo
-15%
79% recovery-$293/mo
-10%
86% recovery-$346/mo
-5%
94% recovery-$398/mo
Base case
101% recovery-$451/mo
+5%
108% recovery-$503/mo

Rehab Overrun

Base case
101% recovery-$451/mo
+20%
94% recovery-$451/mo
+30%
90% recovery-$451/mo
+50%
84% recovery-$451/mo

Rent Variance

-15%
101% recovery-$623/mo
-10%
101% recovery-$566/mo
-5%
101% recovery-$508/mo
Base case
101% recovery-$451/mo
+5%
101% recovery-$393/mo

This analysis is an estimate based on the inputs you provided. Actual results will vary. Not financial advice. Consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions.

BRRRR Timeline

Purchase

Month 0 · $110,000 — $27,060 cash at closing

Rehab Complete

Month 4 · $40,250 total rehab cost

Tenant Placed

Month 5 · $1,400/mo rent starts

Seasoning Met

Month 6 · 6 months — eligible for full-ARV refinance

Refinance

Month 6 · $101,687 returned, -$1,102 left in deal

Year 1

Month 12 · -$5,410 annual cash flow

Month 0: Purchase$110,000 — $27,060 cash at closing

Month 4: Rehab Complete$40,250 total rehab cost

Month 5: Tenant Placed$1,400/mo rent starts

Month 6: Seasoning Met6 months — eligible for full-ARV refinance

Month 6: Refinance$101,687 returned, -$1,102 left in deal

Month 12: Year 1-$5,410 annual cash flow

Capital Recovery Waterfall

Show data table
CategoryAmount
Total Invested-$100,585
Recovered at Refi$101,687
Cash Flow Y1-$5,410
Equity Y1$7,383
Net Position-$4,308

Sensitivity: ARV vs Rehab Overrun

ARV+0%
Rehab Overrun+0%
Rent+0%
Capital Recovery101.1%
Monthly Cash Flow-$451
DSCR0.57