Skip to content
Two investors reviewing resources on a laptop

Get industry-leading resources — for free

Unlock resources for every investing strategy and stage with a free account.

By continuing, you agree to BiggerPockets LLC's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Followed Discussions Followed Categories Followed People Followed Locations
Starting Out
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

User Stats

24
Posts
3
Votes
Andy Morris
  • Santa Monica, CA
3
Votes |
24
Posts

Cap Rate: When to use, is small or big better, and to find rate %

Andy Morris
  • Santa Monica, CA
Posted

I am a little unclear if a larger or smaller is better. When and how often should I use it, how to find rate not the % but actual rate. IE; 6.5%, 7.0% etc. Thank you 

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

17,039
Posts
13,375
Votes
Ned Carey
  • Investor
  • Baltimore, MD
13,375
Votes |
17,039
Posts
Ned Carey
  • Investor
  • Baltimore, MD
ModeratorReplied

@Andy Morris your question is more complex than it seems.  A higher cap rate means more cash flow (specifically net operating income) for a given price. A lower cap rate means less cash flow for a given price. 

On the surface you would think that a higher cap rate is good. Maybe, maybe not.  If a property is getting good market exposure it is going to sell for close to the market cap rate.  If the marketplace is saying that the cap rate is high on a property, it is because the market views it as a risky property. Therefore the market wants more return for that risk. If the marketplace views a property as low risk it is willing to pay a premium price ( and therefore a low return) for that property.

EX; Property generates $50,000 a year (NOI)

If the property sells for $500,000 that is a 10% cap rate. The market is saying that is a relatively risky property

If the property sells for $1,250,000 that is a 4% cap rate and the marketplace is saying it believes that to be a pretty safe investment.

  • Ned Carey
  • Loading replies...