← Back to BlogMay 20268 minDan White
Holding Cost Calculator — What Your Flip Really Costs Per Month
Holding costs are the silent deal killer. Investors model the purchase and rehab perfectly and forget they're paying $3,000–$5,000 per month in carrying costs the entire time. Calculate them before you offer.
Market Context
Live Market Data
Washington, DC Housing Market
Cool Market
Data through Mar 2026
Median Sale Price
$590,000
+0.8% YoY
Median Days on Market
44 days
lower = faster market
Sale-to-List Ratio
99.7%
buyers' market
Homes Sold
4,457
last reported month
Source: Redfin Data Center. Updated monthly. Data reflects Washington, DC residential sales.
redfin.comMonthly Holding Cost Breakdown
- Hard money interest: Loan amount × (rate ÷ 12). On $200K at 12%: $2,000/month
- Property taxes: Annual bill ÷ 12. NoVA example: $4,800/year = $400/month
- Insurance: Builder's risk policy, typically $100–$200/month
- Utilities: Electric, gas, water — $150–$400/month depending on season and size
- HOA (if applicable): $200–$600/month — often overlooked
Total Hold Cost by Timeline
- 3-month flip: ~$9,000–$15,000 in holding costs
- 6-month flip: ~$18,000–$30,000
- 9-month flip: ~$27,000–$45,000
- 12-month flip: ~$36,000–$60,000
Calculate Your Holding Costs Free
Freddie calculates exact monthly and total holding costs for your deal — included in every free deal analysis. No spreadsheet needed.
Calculate My Holding Costs →How to Reduce Holding Costs
- Move fast on rehab: Every week saved is $700–$1,200 in carrying costs on a typical project
- Use private money: 6–8% private money vs. 12% hard money saves $1,000–$2,000/month
- List before punch list is complete: Get the property under contract while finishing final items
- Pre-market to agents: Having a buyer lined up before you list eliminates DOM carrying cost
Dan White is a licensed Virginia real estate agent at Pearson Smith Realty and founder of FreeDealCalc.com. He has been investing in real estate for 20+ years.