ProReal Estate · Simulator
ADU Rental ROI Simulator
The return on building a backyard rental.
Assumptions
Monthly net
$1,500
Cash-on-cash ROI
15%
Payback
6.7 yr
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Build cost | $120,000 |
| Monthly net income | $1,500 |
| Annual net | $18,000 |
🔒 Save scenarios, export to Excel & PDF, run AI analysis, and unlock every simulator.
Unlock Toolkit Pro →Toolkit Pro
Save your scenarios, export to Excel & PDF, run AI analysis, and unlock every simulator — $180/mo, $1,728/yr, or any 3 for $20.
Built by The Crimson Bench · Educational model, not financial advice
About the ADU Rental ROI Simulator
Model an accessory dwelling unit’s build cost against rent to see cash-on-cash return and payback.
It's built for directional planning: change any assumption and watch the whole projection move, the way a seasoned operator pressure-tests a plan before committing capital. Everything is computed live in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.
How the ADU Rental ROI Simulator Works
The model takes 3 assumptions and returns 3 headline metrics plus a full breakdown. Here is exactly what goes in and what comes out — no black box.
The Inputs
| Assumption | Example value |
|---|---|
| Build cost | $120,000 |
| Monthly rent | $1,800 |
| Monthly expenses | $300 |
Worked Example
Every figure below is produced by the live model using the example assumptions above. Change any input in the simulator to see your own numbers.
Monthly net
$1,500
Cash-on-cash ROI
15%
Payback
6.7 yr
| Line | Amount |
|---|---|
| Build cost | $120,000 |
| Monthly net income | $1,500 |
| Annual net | $18,000 |
The Operator's Read
An ADU adds rental income and property value on land you already own — often a strong cash-on-cash return. It also boosts resale value beyond the rent, and can house family. Check local rules before you build. Educational only.
Assumptions & Limitations
- •The model is deterministic: it projects your inputs forward with clear arithmetic, not a Monte-Carlo or probabilistic forecast. It shows one scenario at a time — run several to bracket a range.
- •Defaults are illustrative benchmarks, not your business. Replace every field with your real numbers before drawing conclusions.
- •It abstracts away taxes, financing, seasonality, and one-off events unless a field explicitly captures them. Treat the output as a directional estimate.
- •This is an educational tool, not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Validate real decisions with a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the ADU Rental ROI Simulator calculate?
Model an accessory dwelling unit’s build cost against rent to see cash-on-cash return and payback. It takes 3 assumptions — Build cost, Monthly rent, Monthly expenses — and returns Monthly net, Cash-on-cash ROI, Payback, along with a full projection table you can export.
How do I use the ADU Rental ROI Simulator?
Enter your own figures in the input fields above — Build cost, Monthly rent, Monthly expenses, and the rest. The model recalculates instantly and shows the resulting Monthly net and full breakdown. No sign-up needed to run it.
Is the ADU Rental ROI Simulator free?
Yes — you can run the simulator and see the headline results for free. Toolkit Pro unlocks the full projection table, Excel/PDF export, saved scenarios, and AI analysis: $180/mo, $1,728/yr, or unlock any 3 simulators for $20.
What's the difference between this and a free calculator?
A calculator answers one question. This simulator models the full picture — multiple linked assumptions, a projection table, and scenario comparison — the way an operator would build it in a spreadsheet, but instantly.
Who built the ADU Rental ROI Simulator?
The Crimson Bench's Ivy League-educated operators — the same people we deploy into C-suites. This is the self-serve version of a model they'd build inside a live engagement.
Is this financial advice?
No. The ADU Rental ROI Simulator is an educational modeling tool for directional planning — not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Validate any real decision with a qualified professional.
Related Real Estate Simulators
More models in the same category.
Rental Property 10-Year Simulator
Project a rental’s cash flow as rents rise.
BRRRR Portfolio Simulator
Recycle capital into a growing rental portfolio.
Fix & Flip Portfolio Simulator
Project profit as you scale flips per year.
Cash-Out Refinance Simulator
How much equity you can pull as value grows.
Multifamily Value-Add Simulator
How a rent bump creates outsized value.
Self-Storage Lease-Up Simulator
Project occupancy, NOI, and value for a storage facility.
The Crimson Bench · Est. 2002 · Founded in New York City
Need an operator, not just a model?
Verified corporate accounts only. Ivy League-educated. Flat-rate pricing. 14-day no-cause cancellation.
25,000+ Ivy League Executives · 150,000+ Global Consultants · 48-Hour Deployment