Debt Coverage Ratio (DCR)
The definition of debt coverage ratio (DCR) or debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR) is on the pages of all finance coursebooks. It reveals the ability of an individual - but most often of a company - to pay off what it owes (principal, interest, commissions) over a period of time. The higher it is, the better.
Debt coverage ratio (DCR) or debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR) is the result obtained after dividing the net operating income to the debt service. Maybe we should also explain what the debt service is, as it may sound too abstract. The debt service refers to all the cash needed to cover the cost generated by a debt (loan or leasing agreement). The net operating income is the difference between a company’s revenues or turnover and its operating costs, the equivalent of earnings before interest and tax (EBIT).
The debt coverage ratio (DCR) is used both in accounting, when a company wants to find whether it’s able to pay all its debts in time or not, as well as in lending, when a lender may verify the creditworthiness of an applicant. When the result is subunitary, the mission bells should start ringing.
In real estate, the debt coverage ratio (DCR) is used to identify the rentability of a real estate investment, for example, during a SWOT analysis. If a rental property generates a net income of $5,000 a month and the monthly payment for a mortgage is $4,000, the DCR is 1.25 - very close to the inferior threshold of 1.2 below which a rental property hardly pays for itself, so it might turn out to be a very bad investment. The DCR can be increased only by augmenting the net operating income, like increasing the rent or by cutting other business expenses.
Popular Real Estate Terms
Type of ownership by husband and wife, recognized in 27 states, in which the rights of the deceased spouse pass to the survivor. It is the same as joint tenancy, except that one spouse ...
The depreciation method where an equal amount of depreciation expense is allocated to each full period of the asset's useful life. The amount of depreciation is computed as follows; Annual ...
Purchase of part of property or property rights when condemnation takes place. The owner must be justly reimbursed. ...
An increase in the income tax basis of a property that is a result of a tax-free exchange. As a result of an inheritance, for example, the basis of the inherited property was stepped up to ...
Don’t know what snowbirds mean? It’s not birds made of snow. Snowbirds is a nickname given to Canadians and American people that live in the colder northern states, that, ...
See accommodation endorser, maker, or party. ...
The "frost line" is a critical concept in real estate and construction, especially in regions with cold climates. But what exactly is the frost line, and why does it matter? Let’s ...
Any gain or loss from selling of capital assets. The gain or loss is the difference between the net selling price and cost basis. The two types of capital gains or losses for tax purposes ...
Personal income minus personal income tax payments and other government deductions. It is the personal income available for people to spend or save; also called take-home pay. It may be a ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.