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Real Estate-Specific Risk Metrics

12 minPRO
3/6

Key Takeaways

  • DSCR (NOI / Debt Service) measures income cushion above debt payments; lenders typically require 1.20–1.30× minimum.
  • LTV (Loan / Value) measures leverage; at 75% LTV, a 25% value decline eliminates all equity.
  • Debt yield (NOI / Loan Amount) is independent of interest rates and property values, making it a more conservative risk measure.
  • Breakeven occupancy reveals how much vacancy a property can absorb before requiring owner capital injection.
  • Risk metrics must be evaluated in context: the same breakeven occupancy may be safe for multifamily (93% typical occupancy) but dangerous for office (85% typical).
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Test Your Knowledge

1.A property has $600,000 NOI and $480,000 annual debt service. What is the DSCR?

2.Why has debt yield gained prominence as a risk metric since the Global Financial Crisis?

3.A property has $1M gross potential income, $400K operating expenses, and $350K debt service. What is the breakeven occupancy?

4.At 75% LTV, what percentage decline in property value would eliminate all equity?