Free House Flipping Calculator: How to Calculate ROI on Fix & Flips

Flipping houses may look easy on TV, but in the real world, profit doesn’t come from demo days or trendy kitchen makeovers. It comes from the math behind the project. Knowing how to run the numbers before you make an offer can be the difference between walking away with a paycheck and dealing with a significant problem.

That’s where a solid, beginner-friendly house flipping calculator comes in. It takes the guesswork out of deal analysis and shows you exactly what kind of return you’re looking at.

And if you’re just starting out, you’re in the right place. Not only are we going to break down how to calculate ROI on a fix and flip the right way, but we’re also giving you free access to the exact calculator we use and teach in our program. Whether you’re evaluating your first deal or your tenth, this tool will help you flip with confidence and avoid rookie mistakes.

Here’s what we’ll cover:  

• What Is a House Flipping Calculator?
• Why Every New Investor Needs a Flip Calculator  
• Our Free House Flipping Calculator (Try It Now)
• How to Calculate ROI for Property Flips (Step-by-Step)
• Common Mistakes When Using a House Flipping Calculator
• House Flipping Calculator FAQ

Ready to Take the Next Step in Real Estate Investing? Join our FREE live webinar and discover the proven strategies to build lasting wealth through real estate.

Whether you're just getting started or ready to scale, we'll show you how to take action today. Don't miss this opportunity to learn the insider tips and tools that have helped thousands of investors succeed! Seats are limited—Reserve Your Spot Now!

*Before we dive deeper into our house-flipping calculator, we invite you to view our video on How To FLIP A HOUSE For Beginners (Step-by-Step). Host and CEO of Real Estate Skills, Alex Martinez, & Stan Gendlin share how to flip a house from start to finish as a beginner!

Together, Alex & Stan have completed over 1,000+ house flips. What you learn in this video will give you the confidence and guidance to successfully complete your fix-and-flip project!

What Is a House Flipping Calculator?

A house flipping calculator is a tool that helps you quickly estimate your profit on a fix-and-flip deal by analyzing the numbers that matter—like purchase price, repair costs, holding expenses, financing, and resale value. It’s designed to show you whether a property is worth flipping before you ever make an offer.

Think of it as your first line of defense against bad deals. Instead of relying on gut instinct or rough guesses, a flip calculator breaks everything down (like a flipping houses 101 course would) so you can see the potential return—or the red flags—right away.

For beginners especially, a fix and flip calculator brings clarity to what can otherwise feel like a complex decision. It keeps your emotions in check and helps you stay focused on the numbers, which is exactly how smart investors protect their capital and scale their portfolios.

Whether you’re flipping your first property or evaluating multiple deals a month, using a real estate investor calculator like this gives you a real edge, and that’s why we made ours free, fast, and built for everyday use.

Why Every New Investor Needs a Flip Calculator

If you're new to flipping, here's the truth: the biggest mistake most beginners make is trusting their gut instead of the numbers. You can fall in love with a property, have a hard time estimating rehab costs, or overestimate resale value—and just like that, your profit disappears.

That’s exactly why using a flip calculator is so important. It gives you a clear, unbiased snapshot of your deal before you spend a single dollar. From purchase to resale, you can see exactly where your money goes and what kind of return to expect. This isn’t guesswork; it’s smart real estate deal analysis.

When you're flipping houses for beginners, it’s easy to overlook costs like holding expenses, closing fees, or unexpected repairs. A calculator keeps you grounded. It walks you through the house flipping profit formula and ensures you're not missing anything.

That’s why we created our free house flipping calculator. It’s beginner-friendly and built to help you master calculating ROI for property flips—even if you’ve never done a deal before. With the right numbers, you don’t just hope a deal will work—you know it will.

What Is a Good ROI for House Flipping?

Determining a "good" return on investment (ROI) in house flipping can vary based on market conditions, location, and individual investment strategies. However, understanding national averages provides a helpful benchmark for aspiring investors.

According to the ATTOM Data Solutions 2024 Year-End U.S. Home Flipping Report, the average gross profit on a typical home flip in 2024 was $72,000. This figure represents the difference between the median purchase price and the median resale price of flipped homes. This gross profit translated to a 29.6% ROI compared to the original acquisition price, marking a slight increase from 28.6% in 2023.

Keep in mind that a 29.6% return only reflects the difference between the purchase and resale price—it doesn’t factor in the actual costs of fixing and flipping the property. Things like renovation expenses, loan interest, and carrying costs can chip away at your margin fast. That’s why experienced investors aim for a bigger buffer on paper to make sure the deal still holds up after all the numbers are in.

Utilizing a comprehensive house flipping calculator can assist in accurately estimating these costs and potential profits, helping investors make informed decisions and set realistic ROI goals.

Our Free House Flipping Calculator (Try It Now)

Ready to see if your deal actually makes sense? Our free house flipping calculator is built to help you break down every key number—purchase price, rehab costs, holding expenses, selling fees, and more—so you can calculate potential profit in seconds.

It’s more than just a spreadsheet. This flip calculator is the same one we use inside our training program to teach new investors how to analyze deals with confidence. Whether you’re running your first fix and flip or scaling up, this tool walks you through the entire process from start to finish.

Just plug in the numbers, and the calculator does the rest. It’s fast, simple, and built for real-world use—no complicated setup or confusing formulas to figure out.

To get started, click below to instantly download our free house flipping calculator. You’ll get everything you need in one easy-to-use file.

What’s Included in Our Fix and Flip Calculator

Our fix and flip calculator is designed to walk you through every critical part of the deal, so you don’t miss a single cost or overestimate your profit. Below is a breakdown of the inputs you’ll find inside the calculator. Whether you’re using it as a house rehab calculator or a full-blown real estate investment calculator, each field plays a role in helping you run the numbers like a pro.

This isn’t just a house flipping spreadsheet; it’s a complete flip deal analyzer built for real-world use. Whether you're flipping part-time or building a business, our fix and flip calculator helps you stay focused on what matters: making smart investment decisions backed by numbers.

How to Calculate ROI for Property Flips (Step-by-Step)

You’ve got the calculator—now let’s break down how to use it effectively. Tools are great, but knowing what the numbers actually mean is even better. When you understand the logic behind each step, you’re not just filling out fields—you’re analyzing deals like an investor should.

This step-by-step breakdown shows you exactly how calculating ROI for property flips works, so you can spot a good deal (or a bad one) before you ever commit. We’ll also walk you through an example using our house flipping calculator so you can follow along in real time.

Here’s what we’ll cover:  

• Step 1: Calculate Your Total Acquisition Costs
• Step 2: Estimate Repair and Renovation Costs
• Step 3: Project Your After Repair Value (ARV)
• Step 4: Add Up Your Holding Costs
• Step 5: Factor In Selling Costs and Commissions
• Step 6: Calculate Your Net Profit
• Step 7: Calculate Your ROI and Cash-on-Cash Return

Whether you're using our fix and flip calculator or jotting numbers down manually, understanding this process helps you build confidence and make smarter decisions. It also helps you avoid one of the most common pitfalls in real estate investing—overestimating your profits.

Let’s break it down step by step and show you how to calculate fix and flip profits the right way, using basic formulas and inputs from the calculator. This guide doubles as a primer on using tools like a house rehab calculator, after-repair value calculator, and other essentials every flipper should have in their toolkit.

*For in-depth training on real estate investing, Real Estate Skills offers extensive courses to get you ready to make your first investment! Attend our FREE Webinar Training and gain insider knowledge, expert strategies, and essential skills to make the most of every real estate opportunity that comes your way!

Step 1: Calculate Your Total Acquisition Costs

This is your all-in cost to take ownership of the property, and it's the foundation of every flip analysis. It includes the purchase price, closing costs, inspection fees, title charges, and any up-front repairs. Many investors also factor in lender fees and loan origination points here.

Accuracy is critical. If your acquisition costs are off, your entire deal analysis can spiral. Use your fix and flip calculator to plug in every expense, even the small ones. Getting this step right builds the confidence you need to evaluate deals like a professional investor.

Step 2: Estimate Repair and Renovation Costs

Once you’ve got the property under contract or are seriously considering it, the next step is figuring out how much it’ll cost to fix. This includes everything from cosmetic upgrades to major structural repairs, permits, labor, materials, and cleanup.

Use contractor bids when possible—or walk the property with a checklist if you’re estimating yourself. A reliable house rehab calculator or fix and flip calculator can help you organize these numbers. Always pad your budget a little—flips rarely go exactly as planned, and surprises are part of the process.

Step 3: Project Your After-Repair Value (ARV)

Your After Repair Value is the price the property will likely sell for once all renovations are complete. Getting this number right is critical—it drives your projected profit and max allowable offer.

Use sold comps from the same neighborhood, with similar size, layout, and condition. A local agent can help, or you can use an after-repair value calculator to stay objective. Be conservative. Overestimating ARV is one of the most common mistakes new investors make, and it can turn a great-looking flip into a loss.

Use Our Free ARV Calculator

Need help estimating your ARV? Use our free ARV calculator below to quickly run comps and get a realistic resale value for your flip.

After-Repair-Value (ARV) Calculator

Step 4: Add Up Your Holding Costs

Holding costs are what you pay while the property sits—loan interest, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and HOA fees, if applicable. The longer your flip takes, the more these costs add up.

Be realistic about your timeline and always plan for delays. A holding costs calculator can help you stay organized and avoid underbudgeting. These “hidden” costs are often missed by beginners, but they can make or break your ROI. Even a 30-day delay could eat thousands from your bottom line.

Step 5: Factor In Selling Costs and Commissions

Once you're ready to list the property, be prepared for selling-related expenses. Real estate agent commissions alone can take 5% to 6% off the top, and when you add closing costs, taxes, and possible buyer incentives, the total can creep up fast, sometimes into the five-figure range.

If you're using a house flipping calculator, these costs are typically factored in. But if you're running the numbers by hand, be careful not to gloss over them. Overlooking your exit costs can give you an inflated view of your deal’s profitability.

Step 6: Calculate Your Net Profit

Now it’s time to crunch the final number. Subtract all of your expenses—purchase price, repairs, holding costs, and selling fees—from your projected ARV. What’s left is your estimated profit.

This is where a solid flip deal analyzer shines. If the number looks thin or risky, walk away. If it’s strong and backed by realistic inputs, you may have a winning deal on your hands.

Step 7: Calculate Your ROI and Cash-on-Cash Return

To calculate ROI, divide your net profit by your total investment (purchase, rehab, and holding costs), then multiply by 100. This gives you a percentage that shows how efficiently your money is working.

Next, calculate your cash-on-cash return. This tells you your return based only on the actual cash you invested, not borrowed funds, which is a more realistic measure of success if you’re financing the flip. Understanding both metrics is key when calculating ROI for property flips.

Common Mistakes When Using a House Flipping Calculator

A house flipping calculator is a powerful tool—but only if you use it the right way. Many new investors make small missteps that lead to big surprises at closing. Whether you're using a spreadsheet or a more advanced real estate investor calculator, it's easy to overlook key costs or misjudge resale value if you're not careful.

Here are some of the most common pitfalls people run into—and how to avoid them when using your flip calculator:

House Flipping Calculator FAQ

Still have questions? You’re not alone. If you’re just getting started, it’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed. That’s why we’ve answered some of the most common questions below—so you can use your house flipping calculator with total confidence.

What is a flip calculator used for?

A flip calculator is used to analyze fix-and-flip deals before you buy. It helps estimate profit by factoring in purchase price, repair costs, ARV, holding costs, and selling fees—all in one place.

What’s included in a house flipping calculator?

A good house flipping calculator includes inputs for acquisition cost, repair budget, after-repair value, loan terms, holding expenses, and closing costs. It automatically calculates your expected ROI and net profit.

How do I know if a flip is profitable?

If your projected profit is solid after subtracting all expenses—and your ROI meets or exceeds your target—that’s a good sign. Use a fix-and-flip calculator to compare multiple deals side-by-side before making a decision.

What is the house flipping profit formula?

The basic house flipping profit formula is: ARV – (Purchase Price + Rehab Costs + Holding Costs + Selling Costs) = Profit. It’s simple, but powerful—especially when used with real numbers.

How accurate are flip calculators?

They’re only as accurate as the data you put in. If you use realistic comps and solid estimates, they’re extremely helpful. If you guess or leave out key numbers, the results won’t be reliable.

Can I use this calculator for my first deal?

Yes. Our calculator is designed for beginners. It walks you through the entire process so you can confidently evaluate your first deal—even if you’ve never flipped a house before.

Final Thoughts on Using a House Flipping Calculator to Maximize ROI

Flipping houses isn’t about luck—it’s about knowing your numbers. And when you understand how to analyze a deal the right way, you take control of your investing future. A house flipping calculator isn’t just a helpful tool—it’s a must-have for anyone serious about building wealth through real estate.

Whether you’re running your first deal or your fiftieth, the process doesn’t change: do the math, remain objective, and make your choices based on facts, not emotion. That’s exactly what we teach inside our real estate investing program—how to think like a pro, avoid costly mistakes, and scale with confidence.

So take what you’ve learned here, download the free calculator, and start running deals. The more you use it, the better you’ll get—and the closer you’ll be to your next profitable flip.

Ready to Take the Next Step in Real Estate Investing? Join our FREE live webinar and discover the proven strategies to build lasting wealth through real estate.

Whether you're just getting started or ready to scale, we'll show you how to take action today. Don't miss this opportunity to learn the insider tips and tools that have helped thousands of investors succeed! Seats are limited—Reserve Your Spot Now!

*Disclosure: Real Estate Skills is not a law firm, and the information contained here does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with an attorney before making any legal conclusions. The information presented here is educational in nature. All investments involve risks, and the past performance of an investment, industry, sector, and/or market does not guarantee future returns or results. Investors are responsible for any investment decision they make. Such decisions should be based on an evaluation of their financial situation, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs.