Core Concepts
Appraisal
The process of estimating the market value of a property.
Comparative Market Analysis (CMA)
Comparing a property to similar recently sold properties to estimate its value.
Cap Rate
Net Operating Income / Property Value. A key metric for real estate investment returns.
LTV (Loan-to-Value)
The ratio of the loan amount to the appraised value of the property. LTV = Loan / Value.
NOI (Net Operating Income)
Gross rental income minus operating expenses (before debt service and taxes).
Worked Examples & Applications
Cap Rate Example: Property value: $1,000,000. Gross income: $150,000. Operating expenses: $50,000. NOI = $100,000. Cap Rate = 100,000 / 1,000,000 = 10%. Higher cap rate = higher risk/return.
LTV Example: Home price: $500,000. Down payment: $100,000. Loan: $400,000. LTV = 400,000 / 500,000 = 80%. Most lenders require โค80% LTV for best rates.
Practice Questions
Q: How is cap rate calculated? A: Cap Rate = Net Operating Income / Property Value. It measures the rate of return if purchased with cash.
Q: What is NOI? A: Net Operating Income = Gross rental income minus operating expenses, before mortgage payments and taxes.