4 Valuation Methods for Investing in Real Estate

Determining the investment value of your property isn’t the same as valuing a house you plan on living in. Well, then how do you do it? There are a couple of real estate valuation approaches that you can use whenever you calculate the investment value of a property.

Below are some of the advantages and disadvantages that each approach has. You need to familiarize yourself with each of these methods so you can easily relate to the many different buyers as well as sellers, and any situation you may be in. You should always keep in mind that there are no right or wrong methods of valuation.

When you think about investing in real estate, there are three main parts you have to have in mind; income, financing, and expenses. Here are four valuation methods you can use in the marketplace and their pros and cons.

1. Price per unit

To find the “price per unit,” you have to compare the cost of the property that you then divide by the units. Everything that you have learned about price per square foot you can always be applied to the price per unit. Price per unit does not take into account financing, income, or even expenses. You can use this method to test the wind, even though it is not in depth in determining the valuation method.

2. Cash on cash

This is a ration of the amount of cash flow that you, as an investor, would earn and comparing it with the cash that you invest. The formula for this method works by putting the cash flow before the tax and then dividing it by the cash invested. When you do your research, you will find that out of all the other financial benefits like tax savings, principal reduction, and appreciation you can use to own an investment in real estate, that cash flow is the most crucial. During that time, you will notice that most properties have to produce sufficient cash on cash return in order to make it worthwhile.

3 .Capitalization rate

Also called the “cap rate,” this is one of the common phrases you will always hear time and time again in the marketplace. Usually,the cap rate is expressed in the form of a percentage, and its formula works when you divide the net operating outcome by the cost. You may be kicking yourself asking what all this means by now.

You need to know that capitalization rate takes into account both expenses and income. The capitalization rate does not, however, take into account any financial aspects as most of its basis lies with the net operating outcome. The capitalization rate will always assume that you pay cash.

4. Gross multiplier

The cost of the gross multiplier is when you have to divide the cost of the property by the gross operating outcome. This valuation method does not take any income, expenses, or financing into account.

Are you in the market to purchase a home in Rancho Santa Margarita, Coto de Caza, or Mission Viejo? Click here to talk to the Kovacs Connection Team today!

3 Secrets to Investing in Real Estate

Real estate is most likely missing from your investment portfolio. From many investment advisors not wanting to tell you advice for investments they do not earn a commission on, to the horror stories of becoming a landlord and dealing with stopped up toilets and irritated tenants, investing in real estate oftentimes gets pushed to the side. Even though at the same time, all of us know real estate’s cash generating potential and we instinctively want a piece of it.

You must be ardent in your desire to add real estate to your portfolio because no one else will tell you it is a good idea. To capture the unique tax advantages afforded in real estate, you should learn how to evaluate a real estate transaction yourself and must decide which type of real estate investment matches your personality and how you would invest. When you conclude real estate meets your need for reliable cash flow with the opportunity for appreciation, you should invest in it.

1. Defeat your allies

In many cases, your trusted and paid advisors such as your wealth manager, broker or tax accountant may suggest you avoid real estate in your portfolio altogether. They usually give the same tired reasons that it is too management intensive. Those could be valid arguments based on your specific situation, but that’s not the real reason they want you to avoid real estate.

Stockbrokers do not get paid for you to invest in real estate. There is nothing in it for them, unless they want you to buy a high-cost non-traded REIT, but now you will know their true motivation. You need to do your own research to decide if the potential cash flow from real estate is right for you.

2. Grade school arithmetic

Real estate is a numbers game, but you might be surprised to know that you learned all of the skills necessary in grade school. To decide whether or not to go with a potential investment, you will only need a few key formulas and nothing will be more difficult than long division. Once you have mastered these concepts, you will have the numerical tools to effectively underwrite real estate investments.

3. Use a taxable account

Why try to avoid taxes by investing through an 401k or IRA when the government brings tax advantages to real estate? The cash flow that you receive may not be entirely what the IRS considers taxable income especially in the early years of a real estate investment. Non-cash items like depreciation and amortization will serve to dramatically reduce your taxable income but have no impact on your cash flow. Taxable losses can be wasted in an 401k or IRA but have great value in your taxed account.

Real estate needs to be a part of a diversified investment portfolio when it comes to retirement in particular. You will take ownership of your investment future by equipping yourself with the proper tools to evaluate transactions and the self-awareness to seek out real estate investments when others tell you not to.

Do you have questions about investing in real estate? Click here to contact our partners at the Ryan Grant Team today! And if you’re ready to start searching homes let us know!