3 Real Estate Metrics that Make Money for Real Estate Agents and Investors

Money-Making Trifecta: The Top 3 Real Estate Metrics You Should Know

Real estate return on investment — ROI is one of the foundational of the real estate metrics.

Real estate agents are often familiar with the term “return on investment,” or ROI, as a metric to evaluate the profitability of a real estate investment. However, investors consider multiple real estate metrics when assessing a potential investment, including rate of return, cash flow, and internal rate of return.

In this blog post, we will explain these concepts and how they relate to real estate investing, as well as discuss the benefits of creative offers and how real estate agents can work with investors to move more properties.

Rate of Return is the most basic of the real estate metrics.

Rate of return is a commonly used metric to evaluate the profitability of a real estate investment. It is calculated by dividing the net profit by the total amount invested, expressed as a percentage.

For example, if an investor purchases a property for $100,000 and sells it for $120,000 after two years, with total expenses of $5,000, the net profit would be $15,000 ($120,000 – $100,000 – $5,000), and the rate of return would be 15% ($15,000 / $100,000 x 100).

While this metric is helpful, it has limitations that should be considered.

One limitation of rate of return is that it does not consider the time value of money. This is because the value of money changes over time due to inflation and the cost of borrowing money. For example, today’s dollar is worth more than tomorrow because it can be invested and earn interest. Therefore, the time value of money should be considered when evaluating an investment.

Another limitation of rate of return is that it needs to consider that cash flows are not constant over time. For example, a property may have higher cash flow in the early years of ownership but lower cash flow in the later years due to increased maintenance costs. Therefore, other real estate investment return metrics, such as cash flow and internal rate of return, should also be considered.

Despite these limitations, rate of return can still be a valuable metric to evaluate the profitability of a real estate investment. In addition, it provides a fundamental way to compare investment opportunities and identify potential risks and opportunities.

When using rate of return, it is essential to consider all the costs associated with the investment, including purchase price, closing costs, repairs and maintenance, property taxes, insurance, and property management fees. By including all of these costs, the investor can get a more accurate picture of the actual rate of return.

Real estate investing cash flow — As one of the most important of the real estate metrics, investors will always prioritize cash flow.

Cash Flow is the most important of the real estate metrics.

Cash flow is one of the most crucial real estate investing metrics to consider when evaluating the profitability of a real estate investment. It measures the amount of money generated or consumed by an asset over time. Positive cash flow indicates that the investment generates income that can cover expenses. In contrast, negative cash flow means that the investment consumes more money than it generates.

When evaluating the cash flow of a potential real estate investment, it is essential to consider all of the income and expenses associated with the property. Income sources may include rent payments, leasing fees, and other sources of revenue. Costs may include mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, maintenance, and property management fees.

One important concept related to cash flow is cash on cash return, which is the annual before-tax cash flow ratio to the total amount invested, expressed as a percentage.

For example, if an investor puts $20,000 down on a property and generates $2,000 in before-tax cash flow per year, the cash on cash return would be 10% ($2,000 / $20,000 x 100).

One way to measure the cash flow of a property is to calculate the net operating income (NOI). This is the total income the property generates minus all the operational expenses. NOI can then calculate other real estate metrics, such as cash-on-cash return and cap rate.

Another way to measure the cash flow of a property is to calculate the before-tax cash flow. This is the cash the property generates before taxes and other expenses are deducted. The before-tax cash flow can then be used to calculate real estate metrics such as the internal rate of return.

Positive cash flow is essential in real estate investing because it indicates that the property generates income and can cover expenses. Positive cash flow can also buffer unexpected costs and allow the investor to reinvest in the property or acquire additional properties.

Internal Rate of Return is the most complex of the real estate metrics.

Real estate internal rate of return — Internal rate of return is one of the more complex but fundamental of the real estate metrics.

Internal Rate of Return (IRR) is a complex metric that considers the time value of money and the fact that cash flows are not constant over time. It calculates the rate of return an investor can expect to receive on an investment over time. The IRR calculation considers the timing and amount of all cash flows associated with the investment, including income and expenses.

The IRR is calculated by finding the discount rate that makes the cash inflows’ net present value equal to the cash outflows’ net current value. The net present worth is the sum of the present values of each cash flow, discounted to reflect the time value of money.

For example, if an investor purchases a property for $100,000 and receives rental income of $10,000 per year for ten years, with total expenses of $60,000, the net present value of the cash inflows would be $40,000 (discounted at a specific rate), and the IRR would be 7.98%.

IRR can be a more helpful metric than the rate of return because it considers that cash flows are not constant over time. For example, a property may have higher cash flow in the early years of ownership but lower cash flow in the later years due to increased maintenance costs. IRR provides a way to account for these changes in cash flow over time and calculate the overall rate of return on the investment.

When evaluating the IRR of a potential real estate investment, it is essential to consider all of the costs associated with the acquisition, including purchase price, closing costs, repairs and maintenance, property taxes, insurance, and property management fees. By including these costs, the investor can get a more accurate picture of the true IRR.

One potential limitation of IRR is that it assumes that all cash flows are reinvested at the same rate of return as the original investment. However, this may only sometimes be the case in real-world situations, as the investor may be unable to reinvest the cash flows at the same rate of return.

Creative Offers

Creative offers are non-traditional ways to structure a real estate transaction that can benefit both the investor and the seller. These offers can be more flexible and provide a way for buyers to purchase properties that they may have yet to be able to buy through traditional financing methods. Let’s take a closer look at some common types of creative offers:

Seller Financing

Seller financing is a creative offer in which the seller acts as the lender and provides financing for the buyer. This can benefit buyers who may not qualify for traditional financing or are looking for more flexible terms.

In a seller financing agreement, the buyer makes payments to the seller over a set time, just like they would with a mortgage. However, the contract terms can be negotiated between the buyer and seller, including interest rates, payment schedules, and down payments.

Subject-to

A subject-to-deal is another type of creative offer in which the buyer takes over the existing mortgage on the property, with the seller remaining on the hook for the mortgage.

This type of offer can benefit buyers who may not qualify for traditional financing or are looking for more flexible terms. The buyer makes payments on the mortgage, but the seller remains the legal owner of the property until the mortgage is paid off.

Lease Options

A lease option is a creative offer in which the buyer leases the property for a set time before deciding whether to purchase it.

This can benefit buyers who may need more funds for a down payment or are unsure if they want to buy the property. In a lease option agreement, the buyer pays rent for a set period and can purchase the property at the end of the lease term.

Hybrid Creative Offers

Hybrid creative offers are a combination of different innovative offers. For example, a seller may offer a lease option with seller financing. In this scenario, the buyer would lease the property for a fixed period and pay the seller as part of a seller financing agreement.

This type of offer can benefit buyers who may not qualify for traditional financing or are looking for more flexible terms.

real estate agents pay — With creative offers, real estate agents can upon their buyers pool.

Benefits to Real Estate Agents

Real estate agents who work with investors who use creative offers can benefit in several ways. Firstly, investors who use innovative proposals often have more flexible terms and may be willing to pay higher commissions to the agent. This is because creative offers often involve more complex transactions that require more work on the agent’s part, such as negotiating seller financing or lease options.

Secondly, investors who use creative offers may be able to close deals more quickly, which means the agent can get their commission sooner. For example, a seller who agrees to seller financing may be more motivated to sell quickly since they will start receiving payments from the buyer immediately.

Finally, investors who use creative offers may attract more potential buyers, which means the agent has a better chance of selling the property quickly. This is because creative offers can appeal more to buyers who may not qualify for traditional financing or want more flexibility in their purchase terms.

In addition to these benefits, working with investors who use creative offers can help real estate agents build relationships with investors and expand their business. By networking with other real estate professionals and attending local real estate investing meetings, agents can connect with investors looking for new opportunities and build a network of contacts to help them find new clients and properties.

Overall, working with investors who use creative offers can be a valuable way for real estate agents to grow their businesses, increase their income, and provide more value to their clients. By keeping an open mind and exploring new opportunities in the real estate market, agents can stay ahead of the competition and achieve long-term success in their business.

Frequently Asked Questions about Real Estate Metrics

What is the difference between the real estate metrics: rate of return and cash flow?

Rate of return is a metric that measures the overall profitability of an investment. In contrast, cash flow measures the amount of money generated or consumed by an investment over time.

What is the internal rate of return, and how is it calculated?

Internal rate of return is a metric that considers the time value of money and the fact that cash flows are not constant over time. It is calculated as the discount rate at which the net present value of the cash inflows equals the net current value of the cash outflows.

How can creative offers benefit real estate agents and investors?

Creative offers can benefit real estate agents and investors by allowing them to structure transactions in a more beneficial way to both parties. For example, innovative offers allow for more flexible terms, faster closing times, and higher commissions for the agent.

What are some common types of creative offers used in real estate investing?

Common creative offers include seller financing, lease options, and subject-to-deals.

How do I find real estate investors who use creative offers?

What are important real estate metrics when evaluating a potential real estate investment?

The most important real estate metrics to consider when evaluating a potential real estate investment are rate of return, cash flow, and internal rate of return. These real estate metrics give a complete picture of the investment’s profitability and help identify potential risks and opportunities.

What is an excellent cash-on-cash return for a real estate investment?

A good cash-on-cash return for a real estate investment depends on the specific market and the investor’s goals. However, a cash-on-cash return of at least 8-10% is generally considered a good benchmark for a rental property.

How can I calculate the cash-on-cash return for a potential investment property?

To calculate the cash-on-cash return for a potential investment property, divide the annual before-tax cash flow by the total amount invested, expressed as a percentage. For example, if an investor puts $20,000 down on a property and generates $2,000 in before-tax cash flow per year, the cash on cash return would be 10% ($2,000 / $20,000 x 100).

How important is positive cash flow in real estate investing?

How do I know if an investment property has positive or negative cash flow?

To determine if an investment property has positive or negative cash flow, subtract the total expenses (including mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs) from the rental income. If the result is a positive number, the property has positive cash flow; if the result is a negative number, the property has negative cash flow.

In summary, real estate agents can benefit from understanding the concepts of rate of return, cash flow, and internal rate of return, as well as the benefits of creative offers in real estate investing.

Real estate agents can expand their business by working with us at Iconic Home Solutions, who use creative offers, build consistent sales processes, and ultimately increase their income. It is important to remember that there are multiple real estate metrics to consider when evaluating a potential real estate investment, and positive cash flow is essential for the investment’s long-term success.

By considering these concepts, real estate agents can better serve their clients and find new opportunities for growth and profitability in the real estate market.

If you have any further questions about these topics or want to learn more about how creative offers can benefit your business, don’t hesitate to contact us at Iconic Home Solutions at 803-567-2851.