How Much Does Real Estate Bookkeeping Cost Per Month?

Quick Answer:
Real estate investors with multiple properties typically invest $375–$1,275 per month for specialized outsourced bookkeeping. Costs increase based on the number of properties, number of entities, and the level of reporting required. More specialized or full-service real estate bookkeeping can range from $1,300–$2,500+, while hiring an in-house bookkeeper costs several thousand dollars per month in salary and benefits.

What Drives Your Monthly Bookkeeping Cost as a Real Estate Investor?

Bookkeeping pricing for real estate investors is driven primarily by the number of properties in your portfolio, followed by the number of accounts, rental strategy, and reporting needs.

1. Number of Properties in Your Portfolio

For investors, the size of your portfolio is the single biggest cost factor. Each property adds its own transactions, expenses, reconciliations, and reporting.

• 1–2 properties → lowest pricing tier
• 3–10 properties → mid-tier pricing
• 11–20+ properties → advanced tier due to volume + complexity

Short-term rentals (STRs) typically cost more per property due to higher activity.

2. Number of Accounts

Each bank account, credit card, mortgage, or merchant processor increases the workload. More accounts = more monthly reconciliation.

3. Real Estate Strategy & Complexity

Real estate bookkeeping is highly specialized. Cost increases based on:

• Short-term rentals (STRs): high transaction volume, OTA payouts, cleaning expenses, utilities, occupancy tax tracking
• Long-term rentals (LTRs): mortgages, escrows, repairs, depreciation support
• BRRRR projects: rehab expenses, capital improvements, contractor payments, draws, refinances
• Multi-entity structures: LLCs, holding companies, partnerships, joint ventures

4. Level of Reporting Needed

Real estate investors often require detailed reporting beyond a standard P&L:

• Property-level P&L
• Cash flow reporting
• CapEx vs. Repairs categorization
• Class or entity-based reporting
• Owner distributions & contributions tracking

5. Add-Ons or Extra Services

Common add-ons that affect cost:

• Accounts receivable/payable
• Payroll coordination
• Sales/occupancy tax filings (STR)
• Monthly advisory or strategy sessions
• 
  

6. Cleanup or Catch-Up Work

If your books need cleanup before monthly service begins, this is billed separately.

Typical Monthly Bookkeeping Cost Ranges

Below are the most common pricing ranges investors encounter.

1. Freelance Bookkeeper

• $200–$600 per month for basic service
• Best for very small portfolios (1–2 simple LTRs)
• Not specialized, so quality and capacity may vary

2. Specialized Bookkeeping for Real Estate Investors (like Bookkeep Boss)

• $375–$1,275+ per month depending on number of properties, complexity, and reporting needs
• Ideal for investors with 2–20+ doors, STR activity, or BRRRR projects

3. Other Specialty Industry Bookkeeping

(For comparison—industries like law firms, multi-entity operations, contractors)

• $500–$2,500+ per month depending on specialization

4. In-House Bookkeeper

• Salary $3,500–$6,500 per month
• Plus taxes, benefits, and overhead
• Best for large portfolios needing daily bookkeeping support

DIY vs. Professional Bookkeeping for Investors

Many investors attempt DIY bookkeeping to save money, but the hidden costs are significant.

DIY Bookkeeping Costs You:

• Hours each month
• Missed deductions
• Incorrect property categorization
• Higher CPA/tax prep fees
• Risk of errors, penalties, and poor financial visibility

Professional Bookkeeping Provides:

• Clean, accurate, tax-ready books
• Clear insights into property performance
• Proper tracking of CapEx vs. repairs
• Better decisions on acquisitions, rehab budgets, and cash flow

Often, outsourcing ends up cheaper once you factor in your time and reduced tax risk.

When It’s Time to Hire a Bookkeeper

You likely need monthly bookkeeping help when:

• You have 2+ properties and growing activity
• You’re mixing personal and business expenses
• You avoid opening QuickBooks
• You’re unsure if a cost is CapEx or a repair
• Your CPA mentions errors or missing documentation
• You want accurate property-level performance insights

How Bookkeep Boss Prices Monthly Bookkeeping

Bookkeep Boss uses a base rate + per-property structure so pricing always reflects your actual workload.

Pricing considers:

• Number of properties
• Number of accounts
• Rental strategy (STR vs. LTR)
• Rehab/BRRRR activity
• Entities or classes
• Reporting needs
• Whether cleanup is required

Most clients fall between $375–$1,275 per month, depending on portfolio size and complexity.

Final Takeaway

For real estate investors, monthly bookkeeping is about more than recording transactions — it’s about protecting your cash flow, understanding property performance, and making confident decisions on acquisitions, rehabs, and rentals.

Most investors with 2–17 properties can expect to invest $375–$1,275 per month for dependable, specialized bookkeeping that keeps each property, project, and entity accurate and tax-ready. As your portfolio grows — or becomes more complex with STRs, LTRs, BRRRR projects, or multiple LLCs — costs increase to reflect the additional detail required.

The right real estate bookkeeper doesn’t just categorize transactions — they help you track true profitability, avoid mistakes, and build long-term financial clarity across your entire portfolio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Real Estate Bookkeeping Cost Questions

1. How much does a bookkeeper cost per month for real estate investors?

A. Most real estate investors with 2–17 properties pay $375–$1,275 per month for specialized monthly bookkeeping. Costs vary based on the number of properties, entities, STR/LTR mix, and reporting needs.

2. How much does bookkeeping cost for real estate investing?

A. Bookkeeping for real estate investing typically ranges from $375–$1,275+ per month depending on portfolio size, property type, and complexity such as BRRRR rehabs, multiple LLCs, or short-term rental activity.

3. How much does a bookkeeper charge per property?

Bookkeepers for real estate investors often use a base monthly rate plus a per-property fee. For example, Bookkeep Boss uses a $300 base rate, plus a per-property charge that scales with LTR, STR, or BRRRR complexity.

4. What does bookkeeping cost for STR or LTR rentals?

Short-term rentals (STRs) typically cost more per property due to higher transaction volume, cleaning fees, OTA payouts, and occupancy tax tracking. Long-term rentals (LTRs) usually fall into a lower tier with fewer monthly transactions.

5. How much does real estate bookkeeping cost overall?

Real estate bookkeeping ranges from $375–$1,275+ per month for most small-to-medium portfolios, but can reach $1,300–$2,500+ for investors with large, multi-entity, or highly active portfolios, especially those with STR-heavy activity or ongoing BRRRR projects.