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Fix & Flip Calculator (70% Rule)

Analyze house flipping deals using the 70% rule. Calculate profit, ROI, holding costs, and verify your purchase price follows investor guidelines.

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Inputs

Property Details
Financing
Monthly Holding Costs
70% Rule Check

Results

Flip Score: A (100/100)
Strong deal by common investor benchmarks (235.5% annualized ROI, $5,396/mo avg profit per month held).
Net profit
$32,375
ROI (annualized)
235.45%
Cash needed
$27,500
Cost breakdown
  • Purchase price: $200,000
  • Rehab costs: $45,000
  • Purchase closing: $3,000
  • Holding costs (6 mo): $14,025
  • Sale closing (8%): $25,600
  • Total costs: $287,625
  • Financed by loan: $220,500 (repaid at sale)
Profit analysis
  • ARV (sale price): $320,000
  • Total all-in costs: $287,625
  • Net profit (ARV − all costs): $32,375
  • ROI: 117.73% (6 months)
  • Annualized ROI: 235.45%
70% Rule Check
  • Max purchase (70% rule): $179,000
  • Your purchase price: $200,000
  • ✗ Above 70% rule (-$21,000 over)
Formula: Max Price = (ARV × 70%) − Rehab

Tip: The 70% rule ensures adequate profit margin. Hard money lenders typically offer 90% LTC at 10-12% interest.

When to Use This Calculator

Use this calculator when analyzing a potential house flip. It helps you verify that a deal follows the 70% rule, estimate total profit after all costs (purchase, rehab, holding, selling), and calculate your return on investment based on the expected hold period.

How It Works

This calculator models the complete flip cycle from purchase through sale. It starts with the 70% rule check (max purchase = ARV x 70% - rehab costs), then calculates total project cost including holding costs over your estimated timeline, and finally projects net profit after all selling expenses. ROI is annualized based on hold period.

Key Terms

70% RuleThe guideline that you should pay no more than 70% of ARV minus repair costs. This leaves approximately 30% margin for profit, holding costs, and selling expenses.
ARV (After-Repair Value)The estimated market value after renovations, based on comparable recently sold properties in the same area and condition.
Holding CostsMonthly expenses while you own the property during renovation and sale: loan interest, taxes, insurance, utilities, and HOA. These add up quickly on longer projects.
Annualized ROIYour return on investment adjusted for the time period. A 20% return in 4 months is much better than 20% over 12 months when annualized.

How to Use This Fix & Flip Calculator (Mini Guide)

Analyze house flipping deals using the 70% rule, calculate profit after holding costs and sale expenses, and ensure you're not overpaying for the property.

Mini Guide
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What this calculator measures

Estimates net profit on a fix-and-flip deal after all costs (purchase, rehab, holding, financing, sale).

Checks your purchase price against the 70% rule to ensure margin.

Calculates ROI and annualized ROI based on hold period.

The 70% rule explained

Max purchase price = (ARV × 70%) − Rehab Costs.

This leaves ~30% margin for profit, holding costs, and sale costs.

Conservative flippers use 65%, aggressive markets may go to 75%, but rarely higher.

Critical inputs

ARV: use conservative comps — optimistic ARV is the #1 reason flips fail.

Rehab costs: add 10-20% buffer for unknowns.

Holding period: longer holds = higher costs (interest, taxes, utilities).

Sale closing costs: typically 8-10% (6% realtor, 2-4% closing/transfer).

What makes a good flip

Net profit ≥ $30K-$50K minimum (worth your time and risk).

Follows 70% rule with conservative ARV and rehab.

Hold period ≤ 6 months (less carry cost risk).

Annualized ROI ≥ 20-30%+.

Common mistakes

Underestimating rehab — always add a buffer.

Overestimating ARV — use sold comps, not active listings.

Ignoring holding costs — they add up fast on longer projects.

Paying above 70% rule without solid justification.

Try with Local Assumptions

Select a city to pre-fill the calculator with local market defaults.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 70% rule in house flipping?The 70% rule states that you should pay no more than 70% of a property's after-repair value (ARV) minus repair costs. For example, if ARV is $300,000 and repairs cost $50,000, your max purchase price is ($300,000 × 70%) − $50,000 = $160,000.
How much profit should I target on a flip?Most experienced flippers target a minimum net profit of $30,000 to $50,000 per deal to justify the time, effort, and risk.
What holding costs should I include?Holding costs include mortgage or hard money interest, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and HOA fees. On a typical flip, these can add $1,500 to $4,000+ per month.
What sale closing costs should I budget?Budget 8-10% of the sale price. This typically includes 5-6% for agent commissions, 1-2% for title and escrow, and 1-2% for transfer taxes and other closing expenses.