Finance & Economics / Real Estate Investment

BRRRR Strategy Calculator

Estimated value after renovations (based on comps)

Typical refinance: 70-75% of ARV

Excluding mortgage payment (calculated separately)

What is the BRRRR Strategy?

BRRRR stands for: Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat. It's a real estate investing strategy to build a rental portfolio with limited capital.

The 5 Steps:
  1. Buy: Purchase distressed property below market value
  2. Rehab: Renovate to increase value (force appreciation)
  3. Rent: Find tenants to generate cash flow
  4. Refinance: Get new loan based on higher ARV, pull out invested capital
  5. Repeat: Use recovered capital to buy another property
Key Metrics for Success:
  • 75% Rule: Purchase + Rehab should be ≤75% of ARV
  • 1% Rule: Monthly rent should be ≥1% of purchase price
  • Positive Cash Flow: Rent > all expenses (mortgage, taxes, insurance, maintenance)
  • Conservative ARV: Use actual comps, don't overestimate
Example:
  • Buy: $150k (20% down = $30k)
  • Rehab: $50k → Total invested: $80k
  • ARV: $250k
  • Refinance at 75% LTV: $187,500 loan
  • Pay off original $120k loan, recover $67,500
  • Cash left in property: $12,500 (vs $80k originally)
  • Repeat with recovered $67,500!

Risks: Rehab overruns, lower ARV than expected, difficulty refinancing, vacancy, market downturn. Always have reserves and conservative estimates.