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IRR Calculator

An IRR calculator finds the internal rate of return — the annualized, time-weighted return that sets a deal's net present value to zero. Enter the initial investment, annual cash flow, hold period, and sale proceeds below to compute IRR and equity multiple for a buy-hold-sell scenario.

Internal rate of return (IRR)

Formula

IRR = the discount rate r where Σ [ Cash Flowₜ ÷ (1 + r)ᵗ ] = 0

Frequently asked questions

What is a good IRR for real estate?
Targets vary by strategy and risk: core, stabilized deals may target lower-teens IRRs, while value-add and opportunistic deals target higher returns to compensate for execution risk. IRR should always be read alongside the equity multiple and hold period.
Why does IRR need the timing of cash flows?
IRR is time-weighted — a dollar received sooner is worth more than the same dollar later — so the same total profit produces a higher IRR over a shorter hold. That's why IRR can differ sharply from a simple equity multiple.

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