How to Instantly Calculate ARV, MAO, and ROI — Without Spreadsheets

Ever felt like you're guessing when analyzing a deal?

You're not alone.

Every investor, at some point, has sat with a calculator in one hand, a Zillow tab in the other, and that creeping feeling that they're either overpaying — or missing a good deal.

You've probably heard of:

• ARV (After Repair Value)
• MAO (Maximum Allowable Offer)
• ROI (Return on Investment)

But unless you've built a complex spreadsheet or know every formula by heart, calculating these quickly and accurately can be a challenge.

This post breaks it all down — and shows you how to automate it with Deal Genie.

What Is ARV?

ARV (After Repair Value) is the estimated value of a property after it has been renovated.

Formula:

ARV = Average of 3-5 comparable recently sold homes (same area, size, style)

Getting ARV wrong means overpaying up front — or missing profit on the back end.

Deal Genie pulls AVM (Automated Valuation Model) data from ATTOM, combines it with local comp logic, and gives you a realistic ARV instantly.

What Is MAO?

MAO (Maximum Allowable Offer) is the most you should pay for a property while still hitting your target profit.

Standard Formula:

MAO = (ARV x 0.70) – Estimated Repairs

That 70% rule is flexible. Deal Genie lets you set your own risk tolerance, so your MAO adjusts based on:

• Whether you're flipping, BRRRR-ing, or renting
• How much profit you want
• How aggressive or conservative your approach is

What Is ROI?

ROI (Return on Investment) helps you understand how much you're making relative to your total cash outlay.

Formula (for flips):

ROI = Net Profit / Total Investment

Formula (for rentals):

Cash-on-Cash ROI = Annual Net Cash Flow / Cash Invested

These calculations can get complex fast — especially when you're factoring in holding costs, closing fees, or variable rent rates.

That's why Deal Genie calculates multiple ROI paths — and even shows you alternative exit strategies side-by-side.

Do it all instantly with Deal Genie

When you enter a property address into Deal Genie:

• ✅ It pulls real-time property data via ATTOM
• ✅ Calculates ARV using AVM + comp logic
• ✅ Estimates repairs using preset or custom tiers
• ✅ Auto-calculates MAO using your risk profile
• ✅ Shows Cash-on-Cash ROI + Exit Strategy options
• ✅ Gives you a Go/No-Go decision based on your criteria
• ✅ And… you can instantly generate a deal sheet PDF and offer email

All in under 30 seconds.

No spreadsheets. No formulas. No guesswork.

Here's a Real Example:

123 Oak Ave, Atlanta GA

• AVM: $212,000
• Repairs: $27,000
• Your Strategy: Flip
• Your Target ROI: 20%

Deal Genie Analysis:

• ARV: $212,000
• MAO: $121,400
• Suggested Offer: $120,000
• ROI: 23.6%
• Deal Score: 88/100
• ✅ Go

Click one button → Send offer PDF + email → Done.

Ready to stop guessing?

With Deal Genie, you get expert-level deal analysis in seconds — no spreadsheet mastery required.

Analyze leads, generate offers, and prioritize deals based on what you care about.