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Investment Property ROI Calculator Canada โ€” Does It Cash Flow?

Before buying a Canadian rental property, know your cap rate, monthly cash flow, and 10-year total return. This calculator runs the full income statement โ€” rent, vacancy, property tax, insurance, maintenance, management โ€” and tells you your break-even rent and real return.

Educational calculators โ€” always consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.

What is the purchase price of the investment property?

The acquisition price. Closing costs (LTT, legal) add ~2โ€“3% more in total cash needed.

$
What is the expected monthly rent?

Gross rent before vacancy or expenses. Check comparable listings on Realtor.ca and Rentals.ca.

$
What down payment are you putting down?

Investment properties in Canada require minimum 20% down โ€” no CMHC insurance available for rentals.

What annual appreciation rate do you assume?

Canada's long-run average is ~4%. Major city condos have underperformed in 2022โ€“2024.

Monthly cash flow

-$2,041

negative

Cap rate2.59%
Cash-on-cash return-14.5%
Projected 10-year return41%
Projected equity$464,357

Annual Income Statement

Gross rent (annual)$38,400
Less: 5% vacancyโˆ’$1,920
Operating expenses (tax, insurance, maintenance, mgmt)โˆ’$17,068
Net Operating Income (NOI)$19,412
Mortgage paymentsโˆ’$43,906
Annual Cash Flow-$24,495

Break-even rent: $5,349/month

You need $2,149/month more rent to break even.

Assumes 5.49% rate, 25yr amortization, 20% down, 5% vacancy, 1% maintenance, 8% mgmt fee. Investment properties require 20%+ down in Canada.

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What you'll need

  • ยทPurchase price and expected monthly rent
  • ยทDown payment percentage (minimum 20% for investment properties)
  • ยทExpected annual appreciation rate

What you'll get

  • โœ“Cap rate โ€” Net operating income vs. price
  • โœ“Monthly cash flow โ€” After mortgage and expenses
  • โœ“Cash-on-cash return โ€” Return on your actual investment
  • โœ“10-year total return โ€” Cash flow plus appreciation

How it works

1

Enter purchase price, monthly rent, and down payment

Investment properties in Canada require minimum 20% down โ€” no CMHC available. Enter the rent you expect to receive before vacancy and expenses.

2

Set expected appreciation rate

We model 2%, 4%, or 6% annual appreciation. Canada's long-run national average is ~4%, but major city condos have underperformed in recent years.

3

See cap rate, cash flow, and 10-year return

We run a full income statement โ€” rent, vacancy, property tax, insurance, maintenance, management โ€” and show your cap rate, monthly cash flow, cash-on-cash return, and projected 10-year equity.

$750K Toronto Condo, 20% Down, $3,200/mo Rent โ€” Full Analysis

MetricValue
Down payment (20%)$150,000
Monthly mortgage (5.49%, 25yr)$3,285
Gross rent$3,200/mo
Less 5% vacancyโˆ’$160/mo
Operating expenses (tax, ins, maint, mgmt)โˆ’$960/mo
Net Operating Income (monthly)$2,080
Monthly cash flow (after mortgage)โˆ’$1,205
Cap rate3.3%
Break-even rent needed$4,405/mo

Most Toronto condos cash flow negatively at current prices and rates. The investment case rests on appreciation. Always stress-test with higher vacancy and maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good cap rate for rental property in Canada?+

Cap rates in major Canadian cities are low compared to global markets. Toronto and Vancouver condos typically have cap rates of 2.5โ€“4%, while single-family homes run 3โ€“5%. Mid-size cities (Hamilton, London, Kitchener) offer 4โ€“6%. Generally, a cap rate above the local financing rate (spread) indicates cash-flow potential, while below the rate means negative leverage.

Do investment properties cash flow in Canada?+

Many Canadian rental properties do not cash flow positively after mortgage payments in high-price markets โ€” investors often accept negative cash flow in anticipation of appreciation. In Toronto and Vancouver, negative cash flow of $500โ€“$1,500/month is common. Properties in smaller cities (Winnipeg, Edmonton, Saskatoon) are more likely to cash flow positively due to higher rent-to-price ratios.

How is rental income taxed in Canada?+

Rental income is taxed as ordinary income (not capital gains). You can deduct: mortgage interest (not principal), property taxes, insurance, maintenance, management fees, legal fees, depreciation (CCA). Consult a tax accountant about claiming CCA โ€” it defers tax but can trigger recapture when you sell. The principal residence exemption does NOT apply to rental properties.

What is the minimum down payment for an investment property in Canada?+

In Canada, CMHC mortgage insurance is NOT available for rental or investment properties. This means investment properties require a minimum 20% down payment. There are no exceptions โ€” even if you plan to occupy one unit in a multiplex, the rental units affect qualification. Non-owner-occupied properties face stricter underwriting criteria at most lenders.

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Investment Property ROI Calculator Canada is built and maintained by the RealCostIQ editorial team. Cost ranges and rates are checked against published industry data and contractor quotes, and revised when the underlying figures move. Read our data methodology or more about who builds this. Every calculation runs in your browser โ€” no account, and none of your inputs are stored.

Cost ranges and rates here are checked against contractor quotes and published industry data. If a number still looks off, email Support@RealCostIQ.com and we'll review and fix it.