Capitalization Rate
Also known as “cap rate” or “income yield”, Capitalization Rate is a useful way to compute the rate of return on a real estate investment. It is commonly used in the Income approach to determine the Market Value of a property.
Say you want to buy a property just to rent it and make a profit. You will be advised to discover the cap rate of that property in order to calculate what you will approximately earn renting that property to a Tenant.
To discover the capitalization rate of a property, divide the Net Operating Income (NOI) by the amount you’ll pay to acquire that property. In short, the capitalization rate is the value that one property produces divided by the value that property costs.
Here’s an example to better visualize it:
A building is for sale. It cost $100,000 when it was built 20 years ago. And it produces - between residential and commercial rent - $50,000 a year. The capitalization rate is 50,000/100,000, which equals 0.5%.
An important thing to realize regarding the cap rate is that it does not take into consideration the depreciation of a property. That’s why, when valuing a house, it’s crucial for an Appraiser to use all methods of evaluation appropriate to the case.
Real Estate Tips:
Maybe just learning a new term won't be enough to solve your situation. Check out our real estate questions; perhaps someone else has gone through what you're going through!
Or just head to The OFFICIAL Real Estate Agent Directory® and leave it to the pros.
Popular Real Estate Terms
The term agricultural property means a type of land that has been designed or is permitted to engage in agricultural activities. Also referred to as agricultural land, agricultural ...
property suitable for residential living, such as a house, duplex, apartment, mobile home, or condominium. ...
An enticingly attractive initial rate below the market offered in an adjustable rate mortgage. For example, the teaser rate may be offered at 2% below market. A borrower who cannot qualify ...
Adding a period of time onto another. An examples a mortgagor who successfully restructures his loan by tacking another five years onto the term. ...
The rate, usually expressed annually, charged on money borrowed or lent. The interest rate may be variable or fixed. The higher the risk, the higher the interest rate. Mortgage interest ...
Performance of a complete inventory of real property within a jurisdiction. A cadastral program produces the cadastral map. ...
One of the parties is unable to satisfy the conditions of the purchase and sale contract. ...
Unsecured long-term debt. There is no collateral or lien on the property. A debenture can only be issued by a financially sound borrower with an excellent credit rating because no ...
Any of a number of types of covenants agreeing to do or not to do something that is attached to the title and is passed form one owner to the next. See also covenant running with the land. ...

Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.