How To Calculate ROI For Real Estate Investments:

ROI Analysis Graph

Return on investment, we’ve all heard it… or as most of us, known as ROI, is an accounting term that indicates the percentage of invested money returned to an investor after the deduction of associated costs. For the non-accountant, this may sound confusing, but the formula may be simply stated as follows:

{Investment Gain – Investment Cost} / Cost of Investment = ROI

But while the above equation seems easy enough to calculate, a number of variables including repair and maintenance expenses and methods of figuring leverage – the amount of money with interest borrowed to make the initial investment – come into play, which can affect ROI numbers.

The article below explains the two methods by which ROI calculations are made:

The Cost Method and the Out of Pocket Method

The Cost Method

The cost method calculates ROI by dividing the equity by all costs.

As an example, assume a real estate property was bought for $100,000. After repairs and rehab of the property, which costs investors an additional $50,000, the property is then valued at $200,000, making the investors’ equity position in the property 200,000 – (100,000 + 50,000) = $50,000.

The cost method requires the dividing of the equity position by all the costs related to the purchase, repairs and rehab of the property.

ROI, in this instance, is .33 % – $50,000 divided by $150,000.

The Out of Pocket Method

The out of pocket method is preferred by real estate investors because of higher ROI results.

Using the numbers from the example above, assume the same property was purchased for the same price, but this time the purchase was financed with a loan and a down payment of $20,000. Out of pocket expense is therefore only $20,000, plus $50,000 for repairs and rehab, for a total out of pocket expense of $70,000. With the value of the property at $200,000, the equity position is $130,000.

The ROI, in this case, is .65 % – $130,000 divided by $200,000. The result is just one percent less than double the first example. The difference, of course, is attributable to the loan – leverage as a means of increasing ROI.

Equity Is Not Cash 

Before the ROI, cited above, may be realized in actual cash profits, the properties must be sold. Often, a property will not sell at its market value. Frequently, a real estate deal will be consummated at below the initial asking price, reducing the final ROI calculation for that property. Keep in mind, also, that there are costs associated with selling a real estate property – again, there may be expenses needed for repairs, painting or landscaping. The costs of advertising the property should also be added up, along with appraisal costs and the commission to the real estate broker.

Both advertising and commission expenses may be negotiated with the service provider. Real estate developers, with more than one property to advertise and sell, are in a better position to negotiate favorable rates with media outlets and brokers. ROI on multiple sales, however, with varying costs for advertising, commission, financing and construction present complex accounting issues that are best handled by an accountant.

Property Cash Flow

An investor may have $30,000 in equity in a commercial rental property for which he paid $10,000 for an ROI of 300%. The property also yields $500 a month in rentals, for a total of $6,000 annually. That’s a 60% ROI on the property’s cash flow – $6000 divided by the $10,000 cost of investment.

Complications in Calculating ROI

Complications in calculating ROI can occur when a real estate property is refinanced, or a second mortgage is taken out. Interest on a second, or refinanced, loan may increase, and loan fees may be charged, both of which can reduce the ROI, when the new numbers are used in the ROI equation. There may also be an increase in maintenance costs and property taxes, and an increase in utility rates if the owner of a residential rental or commercial property pays these expenses.

Complex calculations may also be required for property bought with an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) with a variable escalating rate charged annually through the duration of the loan.

The Bottom Line

Calculating ROI on real estate can be simple or complex, depending on all the variables mentioned above. In a robust economy, real estate investments, both residential and commercial, have proven to be very profitable. Even in a recessionary economy, when prices fall and cash is scarce, many bargains in real estate are available for investors with the money to invest. When the economy recovers, as it invariably does, many investors will reap a handsome profit.

For income tax or capital gains tax purposes, however, real estate property owners are urged to get professional tax advice from a reliable source before filing. Property tax is another factor in the equation when calculating return – if a property owner believes a property tax assessment is too high, in most cases, the assessment may be challenged and often a judgment is made in favor of the challenger.

5 Tips For Real Estate Pro’s To Get To Icon Status

As you can tell this post is geared towards those already in the field and I wanted to cover something that is asked time and time again by employees, affiliates and colleagues. As a real estate agent, you may not automatically think of yourself as an entrepreneur, but really, that’s what you are!  You’re building your brand, clientele and entire livelihood from the ground up.  While your business is similar to others in the real estate field, it’s up to you to establish yourself as a legit business and bring growth and success; and that’s a large task!

So, what are some of the key steps you can take to really set yourself up as a solid business, a real estate expert or even an icon in the field?

Now, you may think, “Okay, I can see myself as an entrepreneur, but an icon?  I’m not so sure…”  We’re all aware that to have a dynamic business means to constantly be pushing yourself to continual growth; so aiming for the status of icon in your real estate market or even on a national level can be just the thing to urge you to constantly strive for more.

Does this seem overwhelming yet?  Well, take a deep breath.  Becoming an icon doesn’t happen overnight and will take consistency and a daily committment to provide the best and most innovative service to your clients.

Recently, entrepreneur.com gave five great tips that will help boost you to that iconic level.  Of course, I’ve modified them to make them real estate specific, so take a few minutes to review how you can take your business to the next level!

1. Start blogging- Blogging is a great way to establish yourself as an expert.  You can easily provide pertinent information about your real estate market, your listings, home buying or selling tips and even community events.  Giving people the information they want about the real estate market, their home and the community will keep them coming back for more.  The more you blog on a consistent basis, the more people will begin to see you as a trusted expert in your field and in your community.

2. Market yourself- In being your own brand, marketing is key to your success.  While you may not feel comfortable with self-promotion; it’s really the only way to market your business since you are your business.  Marketing your services, your field of expertise, even your awards or recognitions allows others to get to know you, your values and what you will be able to do for them.  This is just another way to establish yourself as an expert and give an open door to becoming an icon.  Exposure brings recognition, which breeds familiarity and establishes trust.  It’s just how our minds work!

A great way for real estate agents to do this is through a one sheet marketing approach.  We’ve created this for a few of our clients and its been a huge success!  A one sheet is simply a sheet of paper that gives a brief synopsis of who you are, your certifications, area of service, expertise or anything else you want to highlight about you and your business.  They’re perfect for leaving at an open house, giving to potential clients and handing out with your marketing presentation.

3. Create Compelling Content- Whether you’re blogging, writing a buyer or seller page for your website or creating your print marketing material; your content should be compelling.  That means sentence structure and grammar should be impeccable and the topics or advice you are presenting should be up to date and interesting.  Visitors to your website or blog will know when something’s just been thrown on a page, and that will send the message that you are okay with doing the minimum just to get it done.  Why not show how much you care about your business and your customer service ethics through great content?  It will help set the tone for your entire business.

4. Create Products- Did you know that real estate agents can have products too?  While you’re not trying to sell them to make a profit, having products or tools to provide for your clients can help set you apart. Giving your client or potential clients something extra is unexpected, sets you apart and establishes yourself even more as an expert.

5. Take it to the Next Level– Now that you’re seen as an expert in your community, boost yourself to icon by taking it up a notch.  If you’re passionate about selling homes or helping people avoid foreclosure; do all you can to grow in your area of expertise.  Begin to register yourself as an expert on real estate sites or other marketing avenues and network, network, network! Credibility is a key component to being viewed as a leader and expert. Real estate conventions are always looking for speakers in a specific field and the more you put yourself out there, the more likely you are to have opportunities on a national level. Imagine how sought after you’ll be in your community after receiving national recognition!

I know this may seem like a lot to take in and a lot of hard work; and it is!  Reaching your goals will take time, dedication and a focus on the end results.  Remember, taking it a day at a time is key!  You won’t become an icon, or even seen as a real estate expert overnight, but you’ll be encouraged by those daily “wins” and as you see your business begin to grow.

There are certain actions that can be taken and if interested, contact me, I recently launched a mentorship program limited to only a handful of individuals and I can guarantee recognition in basically any syndication including FOX, CNBC, ABC, MarketWatch, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and the list goes on. Credibility is a key component to being viewed as a leader and expert. As in doing anything, there is a process to it. Just like there is a process to become a doctor or lawyer. This will give you a head start, but I can show you exactly how to be one of the leading experts in your area, guaranteed. Just contact me for details. Be blessed and make it a productive day!

Fannie Mae: September Economics and Mortgage Market Analysis

Leading indicators for home sales point to subdued housing demand. Respondents to the Fannie Mae National Housing Survey indicate a continued shift of sentiment toward renting and away from ownership, at least in the near term. In the second quarter, 26 percent of Americans were worried about their job stability. When combined with the 9 percent of unemployed households, more than a third of the potential workforce was worried about their employment status – hardly a strong support for housing demand.

After rising for two consecutive months, pending home sales (contract signings of existing homes) fell in July, which bodes poorly for existing home sales in August and September. Pending home sales generally lead the existing home sales data by one or two months. However, the link between contract signings and closings has weakened lately such that the gains in pending home sales in recent months have not materialized into contract signings. Low appraisals compared to contract prices and concerns about the economy may have led to contract cancellations and delays. Also, some contracts have had to be cancelled because the potential buyers could not sell their current homes.

September Economic Developments
September Economic Forecast
September Housing Forecast

Freddie Mac Finalizes New Modification Option

Freddie Mac finalized requirements for a new modification option that will be made available to qualified borrowers on Oct. 1.

Mortgage servicers must evaluate borrowers deemed ineligible for the larger Home Affordable Modification Program for the new “Standard Modification” beginning in January. Trial period plans can begin in October. Through the new program the borrower‘s principal and interest payments drop at least 10%, according to Freddie.

Since March 2009, servicers granted roughly 791,000 permanent HAMP modifications and extended more than 1.6 million trials through the national program. But servicers canceled more than 763,000 trials because of redefault, not enough documentation or the borrower did not meet the requirements.

In order for a borrower to qualify for a standard modification, he or she must be at least 60 days delinquent. If they’ve missed fewer payments or are current, he or she must be an owner-occupant, in imminent default and provide a hardship document.

The borrower must have already been evaluated for HAMP within 12 months of the Standard Modification. Mortgages on homes without an owner-occupant can be eligible, even vacant homes that cannot be condemned.

The loan-to-value ratio of the mortgage must also be greater than 80%.

Servicers will receive $1,600 for each modification completed before the loan slips into 120-day delinquency. They get $1,200 for a modified mortgage between 120- and 210-days behind. For standard modifications completed after 210 days of missed payments, the servicer gets $400 from Freddie.

The standard modification program will fall under the joint servicing alignment initiative launched in April.

To Build Or Not To Build? How A Strategic Return To The Sector Could Yield Huge Returns For The Savvy Investor.

. . . . a tough question in light of today’s stubborn economic recovery.  Even though we’ve spotted a few bright spots on the economic horizon (a shrinking foreclosure rate, a growing cash-investor class taking advantage of bargain distressed property prices, rising values of existing commercial properties), tepid job growth and an inventory of unsold REOs seem to negate any optimism. Arguably, the building industry has suffered as much as any other sector. Construction of new homes, one key indicator of economic health, posted its largest decline in the past few decades and finds itself struggling with rising material costs in an environment not conducive to raising prices to cover costs. While conventional wisdom suggests that investors should distance themselves from the building and construction industry, first impressions could be misleading. A strategic return to the sector could yield great returns for the smart investor. The secret lies in pinpointing specific demand and if enough demand exists to drive growth. UCLA’s Anderson School of Business’ recent findings echo findings from a number of other sources indicating a consumer “shift” is occurring to affordable rental units from the traditional single family home. Higher down payment requirements, tight credit and other factors make renting a more practical choice for current homeowners and the growing segment of “Echo Boomers” – defined as children of Baby Boomers born between 1975 and 2000. Fannie Mae estimates that the currently available 15.2 million rental units will not meet the growing demand for affordable housing for this group in the future. Similarly, on retail and office market fronts, analysts predict shortages in retail office spaces as businesses expand. While the fate of the traditional single-family home may be unclear at the present time, the need for affordable apartments and commercial square footage is increasing. Demand exists. The economic downturn crippled the construction industry. The credit vacuum created by the voluntary exit of lenders and the FDIC shutdown of banks with non-performing construction loans brought building to a virtual halt. New project starts diminished and ongoing developments that lost financing stalled. These factors combined to stymie the supply of units brought to market. Now that demand is showing signs of returning, some mothballed projects may begin to make sense at today’s prices. The initial infrastructure work leading up to construction (permits, environmental studies, plans, etc.) that comprise the up-front costs and take years to complete, new investors can now obtain for pennies on the dollar. Private equity funds and large banks are once again injecting new capital into projects. Activity is increasing at construction sites nationwide to meet projected demand, providing much-needed jobs to their immediate communities. We recently completed a development project that was able to sell at attractive current levels based on the fact that we saved on both the land cost as well as benefited from existing infrastructure. This in addition to the short time frame from investment to repayment, made the difference. The key factor is to begin in the areas that were located within good markets and avoid those areas that were on the outer rim of the growth pattern.  If the project is well located it should achieve a fair return using very conservative projections. Is it time to build again? The answer depends on finding the right location at the right price at the right time when land is cheap and the up-front costs have already been absorbed by previous investors. The heavily discounted infrastructure and approvals, in my opinion, are the key elements.

Related articles

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The Economic News is NOT All Bad…

Granted, the headlines are not pretty.  Our government seems committed to making the greatest number of mistakes possible, but I am here to tell you that underneath all of that, small businesses are really making things happen!  This is a VERY good thing.

At McDevitt Capital, we are busier than we ever have been, and since most of my loans are to small businesses, this is a positive for the economy. Many of the CDC’s I know are also having very good years (CDC’s are companies that administer the seconds on SBA 504 loans). If the SBA is busy, then again, small businesses are working. There is almost a mini-boom happening in franchising right now. It seems like every franchise out there is very busy which again, means new businesses are starting. This means jobs are being created. I am also seeing another big trend-a lot of boomers are quitting corporate America for good, cashing out or rolling over their IRA’s and starting their own businesses. Now financial planners may cringe at that point, but the owners I speak to are putting it this way, “These large companies I have invested in don’t seem to be very “with it” and with so many risks, I feel better controlling my own destiny”.

I say all of this not to debate investment strategy but to share what I am seeing in the front lines, in the trenches of this economic battle. There are warriors out there, small business men and women and they are cautious, but they are determined and they are not backing down. As a small business owner myself, I acknowledge that there are dangers ahead, not the least of which is our Government’s essential bankruptcy, but I also see opportunities everywhere and I am attacking those opportunities because sometimes, the best defense is a strong offense and I am not alone.

So take what you hear on the news with a grain of salt and know that there are people fighting the good fight. Maybe you are one of us. Take heart!  Because behind the news, on every street corner, the fight goes on. And these warriors will find a way to win. Opportunities abound today, in spite of or possibly because of, the broader economic news. Properties are cheap, rates are low, and there are some people doing very well. Those stories are all around you and THAT is what will keep America going. Entrepreneurship lives on and with it, lies the hope of this economy. We are America, and we are not dead yet!

Have a great weekend!

Michael McDevitt

P.S. If you know a small business owner or investor cheer them on!  If they need money, make sure to let them know about me. My former mentor and commercial partner is closing more commercial loans than anyone in the country and we are successfully bringing capital from around the country to the small business owner or investor. I can pay referral fees as well! Give me a call today at 888.950.9910 Ext.100!

Related articles

• Obama: Small-Business Owners Key to Recovery (portfolio.com)
• Alternative Financing Services Are Available To Small Businesses (businessinsider.com)

How And Why Commercial Loan Modifications Are Completely Attainable By Real Experts

It’s entirely possible for struggling commercial-property owners to obtain a loan modification, Capital Mitigation Group is a commercial-foreclosure-prevention firm that specializes in modifying rates, terms and amortization schedules. They employ a vareity of Seasoned Commercial Mortgage Pro’s including bankers/brokers, asset managers, negotiators, mitigators, certified auditors, underwriters and attorneys displaying an ecleptic group on a mission. 

The problem is that most commercial-mortgage borrowers don’t know the proper way to ask, I don’t think that it’s not the borrowers’ fault, think about it. Did the clients faciliatate their own loan? No, of course not, they use a professional, so it only makes sense to do the same in attempting to modify. I say this because Commercial is very different than Residential, with Residential you have these huge conglomerates called Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that basically own all the paper on conforming loans. Commercial loans on the other hand are usually the banks own money.

The point I’m tyring to make is the borrower discloses their Personal Financial information, if it is disclosed innacurately I’m going to have a hard time trying to convince the underwriters at the bank how and why your financials are unusually different from when you applied 4 months ago. If someone sued you would you represent yourself in court?  If you have very complex financials would you file your own taxes? No, lawyers speak a different landguage and certain CPA’s understand Tax Strategy and know how to disclsoe income and expense information in a manner that allows their clients to pay the least amount of money,  We do the same thing.

Obtaining a loan modification can be difficult, especially if the loan is what’s known as a commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, or CMBS loan. CMBS loans are often tricky to modify, because the original issuer of the loan is no longer involved and the beneficiaries are individual and institutional investors, often scattered across the globe.

A CMBS loan, usually in default, is regularly managed by a loss-mitigation specialist known as a special servicer. It’s easy for commercial-property owners to get discouraged when trying to obtain a loan modification from a special servicer, because the negotiation process can resemble talking to a wall.

With my experience in the commercial finance industry, special servicers were essentially limited to accepting or rejecting the borrower’s offer. They usually are prohibited from making a counteroffer or disclose why a borrower’s offer was rejected. As a result, I’ve experienced first hand that borrowers have often given up after a couple of rejected offers.

CMBS loans, which total about $36.5 billion, was issued in Arizona with little improvement in the value of commercial real estate, Arizona could be headed for more serious problems economically if a high percentage of CMBS loan defaults end with foreclosure. Currently, about $3.5 billion of CMBS loans in AZ have already filed Notice of Defaults.

The value of outstanding CMBS loans is $800 billion Nationwide. More than 60 percent of those loans were issued between 2005 and 2007, when commercial real estate was heavily overvalued. Most commercial-mortgage loans don’t face a serious risk of foreclosure until they reach maturity, usually after 10 years… usually. The meaning behind this is that foreclosures seen so far among commercial properties barely scratch the surface of the problem.

There is no question in my mind that the worst has yet to come in Commercial Real Estate. The situation isn’t hopeless, Capital Mitigation Group specializes, for a fee, the structuring of a loan-modification proposal based on deals special servicers have accepted in the past.

While Capital Mitigation Group has a business model that is relatively unique, it isn’t the only company in this business that has successfully prevented a CMBS loan from being wiped out by foreclosure.

A landmark case decided in 2010, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge held that a receiving commercial investment company could sell seven Arizona apartment complexes formerly owned by the by a “investor group” based in California, without requiring the assigned special servicer to foreclose on the properties.

An “investor group” financed the purchase of the seven apartment properties with a $164.5 million CMBS loan in 2007 and subsequently defaulted on the loan. By allowing a new buyer to assume the CMBS loan, rather than wiping out the debt and forcing the buyer to pay cash, the court protected bond holders connected with the loan and prevented the seven apartment properties from losing at least $50 million in combined value, so I’ve read.

Since Capital Mitigation Group has opened millions in CMBS loan restructures / modifications and are using a variety of methods which include term extensions, discounted payoffs, interest-rate reductions, forbearance agreements and extension of adjustable rates to fixed rates for underwater properties.

Unless more commercial-building owners can work out deals with their lenders to avoid foreclosure, the real-estate and lending crises are likely to continue for years to come and Capital Mitigaiton Group is a provider that ensures success.

Investment funds and pension plans, too, will suffer if more CMBS loans cannot be modified. Because of its early successes with obtaining commercial loan modifications, Capital Mitigaiton Group has expanded.  Capital Mitigation Group intends on expanding and being very selected in candidates. CMG also offers, for a fee, the opportunity to be a Net Branch and leverage and use ALL of our Marketing Platforms, Customer Database Management / CRM, Forms and Tools, and a variety of very useful training.

For more information send me a message.

Mortgage Delinquency Rates Decline:

You would think by the barrage of negative news reports that just about every other home was going into foreclosure.  Certainly this is not the case. In fact, the housing market has stabilized in the past six months.  The latest report from the Mortgage Bankers Association shows that the percentage of homeowners that were behind at least one monthly payment fell from 9.1% in the third quarter to 8.2% in the fourth quarter.  Also, the 2010 delinquency rate fell from over 10% in the beginning of the year to 8.2% at the end of the year.

The 2% drop in mortgage delinquencies follows the recent drop in the Unemployment Rate and the steady increase in Existing Home Sales and Consumer Confidence.  These are significant signs that the housing market is closing in on a true market equilibrium.

What Happened to Rates Last Week:

Mortgage backed securities (MBS) gained +39 basis points last week which caused 30 year fixed rates to move lower after reaching their highest levels of 2011 in the prior week. The economic data such as PPI and CPI showed inflationary pressures that consumers pay  – which is usually bad for mortgage rates. But the geo-political concerns over continued tensions in the Middle East, specifically the news stories of the Iranian War Ships requesting access to the Suez Canal, caused traders to move their funds into the safety of bonds which temporarily helped mortgage rates.

 

To You Commercial Realtors: Development Loans!

Development Loan Options!

Possibly the most needed loan in the marketplace today is the development loan.  Letting people know you have it slams you with leads and deals because- so few people are doing it.

You see, to a bank, especially in this environment, a construction loan is a huge risk.  No income or cash flow for 1-3 years and you hope there are no delays, etc.  Most of the bad loans on a banks books right now are construction loans gone awry.  Construction loans go immediately to the high risk portion of a bank’s balance sheet and hurts their ratio of good loans to bad loans that they are being graded on by the FDIC when they come in to audit them.  In other words, to a bank, there is NO reason to do a construction loan, it can only hurt the bank.  It is in this area that I have probably worked harder than any other finding good sources for my guys.  And we have OPTIONS for development loans right now, for example we have:

-normal construction loans to 65% Loan to Cost (LTC) for most commercial projects up to $10 Million

-hotel construction loans to 70% LTC in major metro markets to $8 Million

-a hedge fund that can do mega-strong development loans above $10 Million and with a combination of debt, equity and mezzanine, can get up over 80% LTC

-a trade program that is sourced and vetted and can net a project $40 Million for $10 Million on deposit that never leaves the clients control.   I have all the proof of that transaction-something no one else seems to be able to get on trade platform loans-proof!

–FHA construction financing up to 90% LTC from $2 million to $50 million

-and of course, SBA build-out money nationwide

Exciting stuff.  The kind of stuff that can make you hundreds of thousands of dollars this year.  It has taken me over 1 year to find these sources, and I have them available for you and your clients.  Give me a call today at 888-650-9966 Ext.100 for more info on any of these products or to run a scenario by me.

Together, we can have an INCREDIBLE 2010!  Have an awesome week and talk to you soon!

Mike McDevitt

P.S. Remember, I have many options for development and construction money that you probably will not get from any local banks.  Give me a call TODAY to discuss at 888.650.9966 Ext.100.  Be blessed!